We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 10 March 2016 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

Oasis Dental Care Central - Putney is a dental practice located in the London Borough of Wandsworth. The premises are situated in a converted residential building with treatment rooms on the first floor. There are two treatment rooms, a dedicated decontamination room, a waiting room with reception area, an X-ray area and a patient toilet.

The practice provides NHS and private services to adults and children. The practice offers a range of dental services including routine examinations and treatment, veneers, extractions, crowns and bridges and some minor orthodontic treatments.

The staff structure of the practice consists of three associate dentists, three dental nurses, a trainee dental nurse and a practice manager. On the day of the inspection, a clinical compliance auditor, who worked for the provider, was also visiting the practice.

The practice opening hours are from 9.00am to 5.30pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, from 9.00am to 7.00pm on Tuesday, and from 9.00am to 1.00pm on Saturday.

The practice manager was the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the 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.

Seven people provided feedback about the service. Patients were positive about the care they received from the practice. They were complimentary about the friendly and caring attitude of the dental staff.

Our key findings were:

• 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).

• There were effective systems in place to reduce and minimise the risk and spread of infection.
• The practice had effective safeguarding processes in place and staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children living in vulnerable circumstances.
• Staff knew how to report incidents and forms were available to keep a record of any incident which could be used by the practice for shared learning.
• Equipment, such as the air compressor, autoclave (steriliser), fire extinguishers, and X-ray equipment had all been checked for effectiveness and had been regularly serviced.
• Patients indicated that they felt they were listened to and that they received good care from a helpful and caring practice team.
• The practice ensured staff maintained the necessary skills and competence to support the needs of patients.
• The practice had implemented clear procedures for managing comments, concerns or complaints.
• The provider had a clear vision for the practice and staff told us they were well supported by the management team.
• Governance arrangements and audits were effective in improving the quality and safety of the services.

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

• Review stocks of medicines and equipment and the system for identifying and disposing of out-of-date stock.