We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 19 June 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

Ridgway Dental Practice is located in the London Borough of Merton and provides private dental services. The practice is open Mondays 9.00am – 6.00pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays 8.00am – 5.00pm, Wednesdays 10.00am – 7.00pm, Fridays 8.00am-5.00pm and Saturdays by appointment. The practice facilities include two consultations rooms, reception and waiting area and wheelchair accessible toilet facilities. The demographics of the practice was mixed, with patients from a range of ethnic and social backgrounds.

The practice manager 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.

We received 11 completed comment cards. We were unable to speak with any patients on the day of the inspection. Feedback obtained was very positive. Patients commented that the staff were professional and knowledgeable, facilities were adequate and the environment was clean and tidy.

Our key findings were:

• There were effective processes in place to reduce and minimise the risk and spread of infection
• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned in line with best practice guidance.
• Patients were assisted to make informed decisions and involved in their treatment planning.
• Staff were up to date with their continuing professional development and opportunities existed for all staff to develop
• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties and equipment service contracts were in place to ensure equipment was maintained appropriately.
• Appropriate governance arrangements were in place to facilitate the smooth running of the service with relevant audits being completed.
• There was appropriate medical emergencies equipment and access to emergency drugs to enable the practice to respond to medical emergencies.