We carried out this announced inspection on 4 April 2019 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We planned the inspection to check whether the registered provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it caring?

• Is it responsive to people’s needs?

• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

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

Edgware Dental Practice is in the London Borough of Harrow and provides NHS and private treatment to adults and children.

There is access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs.

The dental team includes the two principal dentists, one associate dentist, two dental nurses, one trainee dental nurse and one receptionist/business manager

The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.

On the day of inspection, we spoke with one patient. We also checked practice surveys completed by patients.

During the inspection we spoke with the both principal dentists, one dental nurse and one trainee dental nurse. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

• Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 8.45am to 5.30pm
• Wednesday and Friday 8am to 4pm
• Saturday by appointment only

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk.
• The provider had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• The practice had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• Staff were providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• The practice had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
• The practice had suitable information governance arrangements.

We spoke with three patients and three members of staff including dentists and a dental nurse.

All the patients we spoke with told us they were treated with dignity and respect and were given informed treatment choices. We found that the provider had measures in place to ensure patients were treated with dignity and respect and were involved in their treatment.

Every patient we spoke with told us that they were happy with the treatment they received. The provider had appropriate arrangements in place to ensure patients could be treated safely.

None of the patients we spoke with had any concerns with how they were treated. The provider took appropriate steps to ensure patients were safeguarded from abuse.

All the patients we spoke with found the practice clean and tidy. Apart from a few pieces of equipment not being dated, the provider had a process to ensure it prevented the spread of infection that was in line with professional guidance.

Staff were recruited and checked appropriately to ensure they could provide safe treatment.