We carried out this announced inspection on 18 February 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

Mydentist Advanced Oral Health Centre - Riverside Commercial Quay - Wandsworth

is located in Wandsworth and provides NHS and private treatment to patients of all ages.

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

The dental team includes fourteen dentists, four dental nurses, one head nurse, two hygienists, two receptionists, three trainee dental nurses and one practice manager. The practice has five treatment rooms.

The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the Care Quality Commission as the registered manager. Registered managers 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 registered manager at Mydentist Advanced Oral Health Centre - Riverside Commercial Quay was the practice manager.

On the day of inspection, we received feedback from 19 patients.

During the inspection we spoke with patients, two dentists, two dental nurses, a receptionist, the practice manager and the provider compliance lead for the area. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

• Monday 8.00-6.30pm
• Tuesday 800-8.30pm
• Wednesday 8.00-6.30pm
• Thursday 8.00-8.30pm
• Friday 8.00-6.30pm
• Saturday 9.00-5.00pm

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 practice 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.
• The practice was providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system met 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.

People using the service told us they were given enough time and information to make a decision about their treatment. One person told us "the dentist told me my treatment options". Another person said "I am happy with service so far". People we spoke with told us they felt able to discuss with their treatment plan and options with the dentist. They told us they felt that staff they understood the care and treatment provided to them. One person told us "the cost was fully explained to me".

Putney Bridge was arranged over two floors. Access throughout the practice was good and suitable for disabled people. People using the service told us they were satisfied with the cleanliness and tidiness of the practice. During the inspection we found that all areas of the practice including treatment and decontamination areas were clean and well maintained.

We looked at five staff files during our visit. We saw evidence that staff had attended mandatory training which contributed to their continued professional development (CPD).

We saw evidence that the practice carried out a number of audits to monitor the quality of service. An infection control audit had been carried out in May 2013. Audits were also carried out on treatment records and on decontamination and dental equipment.