Ivory Dental - Coulsdon

Updated 25 June 2015

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the practice was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

The inspection was carried out on 15 May by a two CQC inspectors (one of whom is a dental specialist advisor). We reviewed information received from the provider prior to the inspection. On the day of our inspection we looked at practice policies and protocols, clinical patient records and other records relating to the management of the service. We spoke to the practice owner who was also the provider; another dentist, two dental nurses, the practice manager and the receptionist. We also reviewed six comments cards completed by patients.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it caring?

• Is it responsive to people’s needs?

• Is it well-led?

This informed our view of the care provided and the management of the practice.

Updated 25 June 2015

Ivory Dental – Coulsdon is a general dental practice in Coulsdon offering both NHS and private treatment. The practice treats adults and children.

The premises consist of a waiting area separate to the reception desk and three treatment rooms. There is also a separate decontamination room. The practice had undergone extensive refurbishment and development to ensure compliance with essential quality standards. The provider had a practice development plan which demonstrated a commitment to continual improvement and development.

The staff structure of the practice consists of the practice owner (principal dentist), four further part-time dentists, a practice manager, a receptionist and three dental nurses. The practice employs the services of a part time dentist who carries out dental implant treatment as well as two part time dental hygienists who carry out preventative advice and treatment.

Our key findings were:

We found that this practice was providing safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

• There were effective systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. We observed that all treatment rooms and equipment were very clean.
• There were systems in place to check all equipment had been serviced regularly, including the suction compressor, autoclave, fire extinguishers, oxygen cylinder and the X-ray equipment.
• We found the dentists regularly assessed each patient’s gum health and took X-rays at appropriate intervals.
• The practice ensured staff maintained the necessary skills and competence to support the needs of patients.
• The practice kept up to date with current guidelines and was led by a proactive and forward thinking management team.
• At our visit we observed staff were kind, caring, competent and put patients at their ease.
• The practice had a strong emphasis on learning, development and improvement which was driven by a strong practice management team.
• We reviewed six comment cards that had been completed by patients and spoke with two patients on the day of our inspection. Common themes were patients felt they were listened to and received very good care in a clean environment from a helpful and patient practice team.

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

• Review availability of equipment to manage medical emergencies giving due regard to guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK), and the General Dental Council (GDC) standards for the dental team.