Updated 13 December 2023
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 3 November 2023 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 advisor.
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 appeared 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 manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises.
- Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- Improvements were needed to the practice's recruitment procedures to ensure accurate, complete and detailed records were maintained for all staff.
- Improvements were needed to the clinician`s knowledge and understanding of evidence-based practice, including guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the concept of Gillick competence.
- Improvements were needed to ensure patient care records included accurate details of the care and treatment provided.
- Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- Improvements were needed to ensure the practice adopted an individual risk-based approach to patient recalls to effectively respond to patients’ needs.
- Staff felt involved, 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 practice had information governance arrangements.
Background
Wembley Dental Centre is in Wembley, in the London Borough of Brent and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.
The dental team includes the principal dentist, 1 associate dentist, 1 foundation training dentist, 2 qualified dental nurses, 1 trainee dental nurse and a practice manager. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, the associate dentist, 1 dental nurse, the receptionist and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.30pm.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve the practice's recruitment policy and procedures to ensure accurate, complete and detailed records are maintained for all staff.
- Take action to ensure the clinicians adopt an individual risk-based approach to patient recalls taking into account the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.
- Take action to ensure the clinicians carry out patient assessments and ensure they are in compliance with current legislation and take into account relevant nationally recognised evidence-based guidance.
- Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records.