We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 28 January 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

The Wellington Clinic is located in the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The premises are situated on the first and second floor of a building in a high-street location. There are two treatment rooms, a decontamination room, reception area, waiting room, administrative office, staff room and patient toilets on the first and second floors.

The practice provides private services to adults and children. The practice offers a range of dental services including routine examinations and treatment, veneers, crowns and bridges, as well as implants and orthodontic treatments.

The staff structure of the practice consists of two principal dentists, an orthodontist, an associate dentist, a hygienist, two trainee dental nurses and a receptionist. The practice also works with a visiting medical anaesthetist who provides conscious sedation for patients who are nervous about their dental treatment or who require complex oral surgical procedures.

The practice opening hours are from Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 6.00pm and on alternate Saturdays from 9.00am to 1.00pm.

One of the principal dentists is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the CQC 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.

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

Twenty-three people provided feedback about the service. Patients were positive about the care they received from the practice. They were complimentary about the friendly and caring attitude of the dental staff.

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).

• There were effective systems 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 children living in vulnerable circumstances.

• Staff reported incidents and kept records of these which the practice used for shared learning.

• 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 indicated that they felt they were listened to and that they received good care from a helpful and caring practice team.

• The practice ensured staff maintained the necessary skills and competence to support the needs of patients.

• The practice had implemented clear procedures for managing comments, concerns or complaints.

• The provider had a clear vision for the practice and staff told us they were well supported by the management team.
• Governance arrangements and audits were effective in improving the quality and safety of the services.