- Dentist
Premium Dental Practice
Report from 1 July 2024 assessment
Contents
Judgements
Our view of the service
We carried out this on-site, announced assessment on 5 November 2024. We found the practice had not met all regulations. Recruitment procedures broadly reflected current legislation. Improvements were needed to ensure evidence of conduct in previous employment and full employment history were requested at the point of employment. The practice did not have effective systems to manage risks and infection control procedures did not follow published guidance. The practice did not have an effective system to monitor staff training to ensure action could be taken quickly if training requirements were not being met. There was ineffective leadership and a lack of a culture of continuous improvement. Patients were treated with dignity and respect and at the time of our assessment, could access care, support and treatment when required. Patients’ care and treatment was provided in line with current guidance. The service provides non-surgical cosmetic treatments, some of which are not in scope of regulation and are not covered in our assessment. The practice is in Wembley, in the London Borough of Brent, and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children. There was step free access to the practice and car parking spaces were available near the practice. The practice had 2 treatment rooms. During the assessment we spoke with the principal dentist, 1 dental nurse and the receptionist, who was also a registered dental nurse. The provider was not complying with 1 regulation. Full details of the regulation the provider was not meeting are within the assessment findings of the report. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.
People's experience of this service
Two weeks before our on-site assessment, we asked the practice to encourage patients to share their views of the service with us. We received feedback from 5 patients. On the day of our assessment, we collected patient feedback from a further 5 patients. Patient feedback provided a positive view of the dental team and care provided by the practice. Comments included, the dentist is “always welcoming and makes you feel comfortable”, “friendly and professional”, “always helpful, caring and provides very good advice”. Patients commented positively about the standards of cleanliness. Patients felt able to book appointments within an acceptable timescale for their needs and said they had enough time during their appointment without feeling rushed. Patients told us they were given clear information to help them make an informed choice about their treatment and any associated costs. They were involved in decisions about their care. Patients told us that when they were prescribed medicines, sufficient information was given. Patients told us that they were supported to maintain their oral health and were provided with appropriate information and resources. The practice shared patient feedback with the team. We were told this was reviewed and where suggestions had been made, appropriate action would be taken.