We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 25 August 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

Oak Tree Dental Practice is located in the London Borough of Croydon. The premises consist of one treatment room and one dedicated decontamination room. There are also toilet facilities, waiting area, a reception area and a staff room.

The practice provides NHS and private dental services and treats both adults and children. The practice offers a range of dental services including routine examinations and treatment, veneers, crowns and bridges and oral hygiene.

The practice staffing consisted of one dentist (who was also the manager and provider), one dental nurse and one administrator.

The practice is open; Monday to Wednesday 9:00am to 5:00pm and Friday 9:00am to 1:00pm. The practice books patients in on Tuesday only for treatments.

The owner is the principal dentist, manager and the provider of the service.

The principal dentist is also the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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 CQC inspector and a dental specialist advisor.

We received five CQC comment cards completed by patients. Patients had commented positively about the dentist and their experience of being treated at the practice.

Our key findings were:

• The practice recorded and analysed significant events and complaints and shared learning with staff.
• The practice had effective safeguarding processes in place and staff understood their responsibilities regarding child protection and safeguarding vulnerable adults.
• Infection control procedures were in place and the practice followed the related guidance.
• Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available.

• The practice ensured staff attended relevant training to maintain the necessary skills and competence to meet patients’ needs.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, options and risks and were involved in making decisions.
• The practice was well-led and staff worked as a team.
• Governance systems were effective and there was a range of clinical and non-clinical audits to monitor the quality of services.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided
• The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.

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

• Review the practices’ current Legionella risk assessment 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’.
• Review the practice's waste handling protocols to ensure waste is segregated and disposed of in accordance with relevant regulations giving due regard to guidance issued in the Health Technical Memorandum 07-01 (HTM 07-01).