We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 16 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

Cross Deep Dental Practice is located in the London Borough of Richmond and provides private dental services. There are five treatment rooms, a scanning room and a reception and waiting area.

The staff structure of the practice comprises of five dentists, three hygienists, two dental nurses, one trainee dental nurse, two receptionists and a practice manager.

The practice manager was 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 inspection took place over one day and was carried out by a lead inspector and a dental specialist advisor.

Before the inspection we sent Care Quality Commission (CQC) comment cards to the practice for patients to complete to tell us about their experience of the practice. We received 20 completed cards and spoke with four patients on the day of the inspection .The feedback we received for patients gave a positive view of the services the practice provides. All of the patients commented that the quality of care was good.

Our key findings were:

• There were effective processes in place to reduce and minimise the risk and spread of infection.

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

• Patients were involved in their care and treatment planning.

• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties, and equipment was well maintained.

• Patients told us that staff were caring and treated them with dignity and respect.

• There were processes in place for patients to give their comments and feedback about the service including making complaints and compliments.

• Governance arrangements were in place and there was a clear vision for the smooth running of the practice.

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

• Review the practice’s infection control procedures giving due regard to guidelines issued by the Department of Health - Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices and The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance’.