We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 17 December 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

The practice provided NHS and private dental treatment to patients of all ages in Barnet and surrounding areas. The premises are situated in a residential style building. The services provided include preventative advice and treatment, routine restorative dental care, orthodontic and implants

Practice staffing consists of the principal dentist who is also the joint owner/provider, four dentists, three dental nurses, three receptionists and a practice manager.

The principal dentist 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.

The practice consists of five treatment rooms, a reception area, two waiting areas for patients, a separate decontamination room for cleaning of used dental instruments, staff room and two offices.

During our inspection we spoke with three patients and reviewed 21 comments cards, which patients had completed in the two weeks before our visit. All patients commented positively about the care and treatment they had received and the friendly, efficient and professional staff. A number of patients commented on the sympathetic, understanding dentists who had helped them overcome their fears regarding dental treatment.

The practice is open Mondays to Fridays from 9am to 5pm and appointments are available during these times.

Our key findings were:

• The practice investigated significant and safety events and cascaded learning to staff. These events were analysed and monitored to help improve patient safety.
• There were systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection.
• There were systems in place to ensure that equipment, including the suction compressor, autoclave, fire extinguishers, and oxygen cylinder was well-maintained.
• Staff had received safeguarding children and adults training and knew the processes to follow to raise any concerns. The practice had whistleblowing policies and procedure and staff were aware of these and their responsibilities to report any concerns.
• Patients’ care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with current legislation and evidence based guidelines such as those from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
• The practice ensured staff were trained and that they maintained the necessary skills and competence to support the needs of patients.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to handle medical emergencies, and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients, and waiting times were kept to a minimum.
• The practice was well-led and staff felt valued, involved and worked as a team. Staff meetings were routinely held to help share information and learning.
• The principal dentist and practice manager were very ‘hands on’ and carried out regular audits and took lead roles in the management and day to day running of the practice.
• Governance systems were effective and there were a range of policies and procedures in place which underpinned the management of the practice.
• Clinical and non-clinical audits were carried out to monitor the quality of services.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided and acted on this to improve its services.
• The practice had a procedure for handling and responding to complaints, which were displayed and available to patients.