We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 22 July 2015 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

Chessington Dental Practice is located close to Hook shopping parade. The premises consist of two treatment rooms, a dedicated decontamination room, reception and waiting area and toilet on the ground floor. The first floor currently has an office, storage room and staff room.

The practice provides private dental services and treats both adults and children. The practice offers a range of dental services including general and cosmetic dentistry.

There are four part time dentists, two full time dental nurses, a part time hygienist and a receptionist.

The practice is open Monday to Friday 9.00am-5.30pm with a late evening on Wednesday finishing at 7.00pm. Appointments could be arranged for Saturdays.

This is a new practice which registered with the CQC in December 2014.

The provider is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

Forty seven people provided feedback about the service. Patients we spoke with, and those who completed comment cards, were positive about the care and treatment they received from the practice. Patients felt they were treated with respect, from the greeting they received on arrival to the way the dentists spoke with them and gave them information to make decisions about treatment and they did not feel rushed into making any decisions. They said the practice was clean and hygienic.

Our key findings were:

• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned in line with best practice guidance such as from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

• There were effective systems in place to reduce and minimise the risks of and spread of infection.

• Equipment, such as the air compressor, autoclave (steriliser), fire extinguishers, and X-ray equipment had all been checked for effectiveness and had been regularly serviced.

• The practice had effective safeguarding processes in place and staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding children and adults living in vulnerable circumstances.

• Staff reported incidents and kept records of these which the practice used for shared learning.

• Patients indicated that they felt they received good care and treatment and were given time to make decisions about treatments.

• The practice ensured staff attended regular updating training to maintain the necessary skills and competence to support the needs of patients.

• The practice had clear procedures for managing comments, concerns or complaints.

• The principal dentist had a clear vision for the practice and staff told us felt they were supported by the dentists.

• Governance arrangements and audits were effective in improving the quality and safety of the services.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

• To have the ultrasonic bath serviced.