We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 2 July 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

PH Dental is a NHS dental practice located in the London Borough of Southwark. The patient population is mixed, serving patients’ from a wide range of social and ethnic backgrounds. The practice opens Monday to Fridays from 8.30am to 7.00pm and Saturdays from 10.00am to 12.00pm. The practice facilities include four surgeries, a decontamination room, disabled access toilet facilities and a separate reception area and patient waiting room. At the time of our inspection there were four dentists, four dental nurses, one trainee dental nurse, an area practice manager, a practice manager and reception staff.

We received 29 completed comment card and spoke with three patients during our inspection. The feedback we received was very positive about the service. Staff were described as efficient and friendly and patients generally thought the facilities were good.

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:

• There were effective processes in place to ensure patients were safeguarded from the risks of abuse
• The practice had processes in place to reduce and minimise the risk of infection
• Patients’ needs were assessed and treatment was planned and delivered in line with best practice guidance
• Patients felt involved in making decisions about their treatment and received enough information to make informed decisions
• Clinical staff were up to date with their continuing professional development and opportunities were available for all staff to develop
• The practice had appropriate equipment and medication available to respond effectively to a medical emergency

Appropriate governance arrangements were in place to facilitate the smooth running of the service.

PH Dental Care was a clean and professionally managed dental practice. The provider had worked to achieve good practice in all areas, which has been recognised by the British Dental Association for the past three years. The ground floor of the practice has been renovated to accommodate patients who use a wheelchair.

People who use the service were positive in their reviews of the service and staff, and told us that all treatment options and associated costs were fully explained during their visits. There were suitable safeguarding and emergency arrangements in place in order to ensure patient safety.