Dental Perfection

We carried out this announced inspection on 20 July 2021 under section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We planned the inspection to check whether the registered provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we usually ask five key questions. However, due to the ongoing pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it well-led?

These are three of the five questions that form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

Dental Perfection is located in Hampstead Village in the London Borough of Camden and provides private dental treatment. The treatment provided includes; general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry and specialist dental treatment to adults and children. The practice is easily accessible by Transport for London underground and bus services. The location is based along the village high street which has access to various amenities. Paid parking spaces are available near the practice including for blue badge holders.

The practice is owned by an individual. The principal dentist who is the responsible individual has a legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The provider is registered to provide the regulated activities of treatment of disease, disorder or injury, surgical procedures and diagnostic and screening procedures from two locations.

A shopfront practice is located on the first floor of the building which is accessed using a flight of stair which leads to the reception area. There are two treatment rooms, a separate decontamination room, staff area and a toilet. The premises is not suitable for patients using wheelchairs and pushchairs as there is no lift access to the practice.

The dental team includes - the principal dentist, two visiting anaesthesiologists, two dental hygienists, two dental nurses - one of whom is a trainee and a CQC compliance lead. They are supported by a full-time practice manager who also undertakes reception duties.

The practice is open between 9.00am and 5.30pm Monday to Thursday, 9.00am to 5.00pm on Friday and occasionally 9:00am to 2:00pm on Saturday. During out of hours, patients are advised to contact the dedicated telephone number to access emergency care.

During the inspection we spoke with the practice manager, lead dental nurse and the CQC compliance lead. On the 12 August 2021, we spoke to the principal dentist and one of the visiting anaesthesiologists over the telephone. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

Our key findings were:

• The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The provider offered specialist treatment to patients.
• The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs. The practice was well-maintained.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• Clinicians participated in quality initiatives including audits which were used to improve services.
• There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Take action to ensure that conscious sedation for dental procedures is undertaken taking into account guidelines published by The Intercollegiate Advisory Committee on Sedation in Dentistry in the document 'Standards for Conscious Sedation in the Provision of Dental Care 2015'.