Updated 13 January 2023
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 24 November 2022 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 practice 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 always ask the following 5 questions:
• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• Is it caring?
• Is it responsive to people’s needs?
• Is it well-led?
These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.
Our findings were:
- The dental clinic was visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
- There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
- Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
- The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
Background
This report is about William Place Dental Aesthetics.
William Place Dental Aesthetics is in Bow in the East London Borough of Tower Hamlets and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
This is a purpose-built location that is fully accessible for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. The practice does not have a car park; however, paid parking is available on surrounding streets. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional needs by ensuring interpretation and translations are available to patients who finds it challenging to communicate in English.
The dental team includes 8 dentists, 1 oral surgeon specialist, 3 dental hygienists, 4 qualified dental nurses, 7 trainee dental nurses and 2 reception staff. They are supported by two practice managers. The practice has 9 treatment rooms and a separate decontamination room, all located on the ground floor of the building. The first floor of the building was accessible only to staff and consists of a fully equipped staff room and offices.
During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, the oral surgeon specialist, 2 dental nurses, 1 reception staff, 1 trainee dental nurse and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday and Tuesday 8am to 7pm,
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 8am to 5pm and
Saturday 9am to 1pm.
Outside of these hours, patients are advised to contact NHS 111 for emergency care and treatment.