We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 12 October 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

New Cross Dental Practice is located in the London Borough of Lewisham and provides a mix of NHS dental services and services to private patients. The demographics of the practice were mixed, serving patients from a range of social and ethnic backgrounds. The practice is open Monday to Saturday with a range of opening times including evening appointments. The practice facilities include five consultation rooms, reception and waiting area, decontamination room, staff room and administration office. The premises are wheelchair accessible and have facilities for wheelchair users, except for an accessible toilet.

We received five completed Care Quality Commission comment cards; but did not get an opportunity to speak with any patients during the inspection[DA1] . Patient feedback was positive about the service. They told us that staff were friendly and polite and always treated them with respect. They described the service as professional and working to an excellent standard. Information was given to them appropriately and staff were helpful to assist if needed.

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.

Our key findings were:

• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned in line with current guidance.
• Patients were involved in their care and treatment planning so they could make informed decisions.
• There were effective processes in place to reduce and minimise the risk and spread of infection.
• There were appropriate equipment and access to emergency drugs to enable the practice to respond to medical emergencies. Staff knew where equipment was stored.
• All clinical staff were up to date with their continuing professional development.
• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties, and equipment was maintained appropriately.
• Appropriate governance arrangements were in place to facilitate the smooth running of the service, including a programme of audits for continuous improvements.