We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 03 February 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

Thamesview Dental Surgery is located in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and provides NHS and private dental treatment to both adults and children. The premises are on the first floor of a health center and consist of three treatment rooms , a reception area and a dedicated decontamination room. The premises are wheelchair accessible and have facilities for wheelchair users. The practice is open Monday to Friday 9:30am – 5:00pm.

The staff consists of two principal dentists, one associate dentist, one dental nurse, three trainee dental nurses and a receptionist.

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. 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 17 CQC comment cards completed by patients in the two weeks prior to our inspection. Patients were positive about the service. They were complimentary about the professional, 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:

• 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).

• 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 air compressor, 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 appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.

• Patients indicated that they found the team to be efficient, professional, caring and reassuring.

• Risk assessments and audits were carried out but it was not clear how the findings were used to drive improvement.

• There were some pre-employment checks, such as references and identity checks, that had not been carried out for new members of staff

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

• Review its audit protocols to document learning points that are shared with all relevant staff and ensure that the resulting improvements can be demonstrated as part of the audit process.

• Review the practice’s system for the recording, investigating and reviewing incidents with a view to preventing further occurrences and, ensuring that improvements are made as a result

• Review its responsibilities as regards to the Control of Substance Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 and, ensure all documentation is up to date.

• Reviews requirements under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).

• Review recruitment procedures to ensure accurate, complete and detailed records are maintained securely for all staff.

Patient's told us that they valued the care and treatment provided by the practice. They felt involved in their dental care and they were happy with the standard of that care.

We found that the practice was well organised with suitable organisational mechanisms in place to encourage good patient care. The practice considers itself to be an integral part of Thamesview health centre and we saw evidence of this. The staff were all enthusiastic about their roles in the dental team and were keen to demonstrate their skills and knowledge. Patient care was of central importance.