Updated 17 August 2022
We carried out this unannounced inspection on 21 July 2022 under section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We planned the inspection in response to concerns we had received relating to 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 usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the nature of the concerns, only the following three questions were asked:
• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• 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 to be 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.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
- Improvements were required with regards to information governance arrangements.
Background
Predent Dental Clinic is in Earls Court in the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and provides private dental care and treatment predominantly for adults, however they do see a small number of children.
There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces available near the practice for a fee. Local transport links are close to the practice including local buses and a London underground station.
The dental team includes two principal dentists, one associate dentist and a dental nurse. The dental nurse also carries out reception and practice management duties. The practice has two treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with both principal dentists and the dental nurse. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.00pm
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Take action to ensure audits of radiography and infection prevention and control are undertaken at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service. The practice should also ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.
- Improve the practice’s arrangements for ensuring good governance, in particular the accessibility of policies and procedures.
- Implement audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry.