We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 08 March 2017 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

Park-Vue Dental is located in the London Borough of Haringey. The practice provides NHS and private dental treatment to both adults and children. The premises are on the ground, first and second floor. The practice consists of five treatment rooms, an X-ray room, a reception area and a decontamination room. The practice is open on Monday 9:00am – 8:00pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9:00am – 6:00pm, Friday 8:00am – 2:00pm and Saturday 9:00am – 2:00pm.

The staff consists of the principal dentist, ten associate dentists, two dental hygienists, four dental nurses, four trainee dental nurses, three receptionists and a practice administrator who is also a dental nurse.

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual ‘registered person’. 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.

We reviewed 45 CQC comment cards and the NHS Friends and Family test. Patients were positive about the service. They were complimentary about the friendly and caring attitude of the staff.

The inspection took place over one day and was carried out by a CQC inspector and a dental specialist advisor.

Our key findings were:

• There were appropriate equipment and access to emergency drugs to enable the practice to respond to medical emergencies. Staff knew where equipment was stored.
• We found the dentists regularly assessed each patient’s gum health and took X-rays at appropriate intervals.
• 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.
• The practice had effective safeguarding processes in place and staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and child protection.
• Equipment, such as the autoclave (steriliser), fire extinguishers, and X-ray equipment had all been checked for effectiveness and had been regularly serviced.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• The practice had implemented clear procedures for managing comments, concerns or complaints.
• Patients indicated that they found the team to be efficient, professional, caring and reassuring.
• Patients had good access to appointments, including emergency appointments, which were available on the same day.
• Leadership structures were clear and there were processes in place for dissemination of information and feedback to staff.
• 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 areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

• Review the current staffing arrangements to ensure all dental care professionals are adequately supported by a trained member of the dental team when treating patients in a dental setting.

We spoke to three adult patients. We also spoke with one child patient. All the patients made positive comments about this dental practice. They all said they found the practice to be clean. They said that they were satisfied with their dental treatment. The child patient said the dentist was, "great" and "fixed my teeth properly." The patients said that the dentists explained their treatment options to them and told them the cost before the treatment. One patient said their dentist, "explains really well" when they need treatment. Another patient said she had phoned for advice when one of her children had a dental problem and the dentist gave her advice over the phone. She said she was happy with this advice. We also saw questionnaires completed by patients at the practice which showed they were generally happy with the treatment they received.

We found that the practice was clean and operated good decontamination procedures. Staff were supported to have regular training. There was an effective quality monitoring process in place so that the provider could identify areas for improvement and act on them.

In one treatment room, the flooring was damaged. The provider showed us new flooring which he said would be fitted soon. Tubing in two rooms was not secured fully, this could be a health and safety hazard.

Overall, the practice maintained a good hygienic environment and kept good quality records showing evidence of appropriate treatment and care.