We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 9 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

Selhurst Dental Practice is located in the London Borough of Croydon and provides mainly NHS dental services but has a small number of private patients. The demographics of the practice was mixed, serving patients from a range of social and ethnic backgrounds. The practice is open Monday to Fridays from 9:00 am to -5:00 pm. The practice facilities include three consultation rooms, large reception and waiting area, an administration office and wheel chair accessible toilet facilities for patients.

At the time of our visit there was no registered manager in place. The provider had made an application to the Care Quality Commission for the practice manager to become the registered manager; however they were waiting for this process to complete. 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 feedback from eight patients as part of the inspection process. Patients’ feedback was positive and they were happy with staff and the physical environment of the practice.

Our key findings were:

• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned in line with best practice guidance
• 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
• There were appropriate equipment and access to emergency drugs to enable the practice to respond to medical emergencies.

• All clinical staff were up to date with their continuing professional development.
• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties, and equipment was maintained appropriately.
• Appropriate governance arrangements were in place to facilitate the smooth running of the service. However the practice was not adhering to all of the governance arrangements in place.