The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Station Road Dental Practice

21 Station Road, Loughton, Essex, IG10 4NZ (020) 8508 2793

Provided and run by:
Station Road Dental Practice

All Inspections

20 June 2022

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 20 June 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 usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, 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 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.

Station Road Dental Practice is in Loughton, Essex and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional needs.

The dental team includes four dentists, four dental nurses (including two trainee dental nurses and the practice manager), one dental hygienist, one supporting staff and three receptionists. The practice has three treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with one dentist, two dental nurses, one receptionist, a support member of staff 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 to Friday from 9am to 5.30pm.

Saturday from 9am to 1pm.

15 August 2016

During a routine inspection

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 15 August 2016 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Station Road Dental Practice is a mixed NHS and private practice in Loughton, Essex owned by two partners (Dr Sheth and Dr Vincent). The practice offers a range of general dental treatment, some orthodontics and implants. The premises are located on the ground and first floor and consist of three dental treatment rooms, a reception and waiting area and a designated decontamination room.

The staff at the practice consist of two principal dentists, a practice manager, a dental hygienist, two receptionists (one of whom is also a dental nurse) plus two additional dental nurses.

One of the principal dentists is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

Our key findings were:

  • There was an induction programme for staff to follow which ensured they were skilled and competent in delivering safe and effective care and support to patients.

  • The practice ensured staff maintained the necessary skills and competence to support the needs of patients.

  • There were effective systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. We found the treatment rooms and equipment were visibly clean.
  • There were systems in place to check equipment had been serviced regularly, including the dental air compressor, autoclaves, fire extinguishers and the X-ray equipment.
  • We found the dentist and dental hygienist regularly assessed each patient’s gum health and the dentist took X-rays at appropriate intervals.
  • The practice kept up to date with current guidelines when considering the care and treatment needs of patients.

  • The practice placed an emphasis on the promotion of oral and general health and the prevention of dental disease. Appropriate information and advice was available according to patients’ individual needs.

  • Staff had been trained to handle emergencies and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available.

  • Patients received comprehensive assessments of their oral health needs. They were given clear explanations about their proposed treatment, and its costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.

  • Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.

  • The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.

  • There was an effective complaints system and the practice was open and transparent with patients if a mistake had been made.
  • Staff demonstrated knowledge of the practice whistleblowing policy and were confident they would raise a concern about another staff member’s performance if it was necessary.
  • At our visit we observed staff were kind, caring, very welcoming and worked well as a team.
  • There was an effective system in place to act on feedback received from patients and staff.

We reviewed 22 Care Quality Commission (CQC) comment cards that had been completed by patients prior to our inspection. Common themes were patients felt they received excellent care from staff who were caring, friendly, professional and put them at their ease.

2 July 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with three people using the service. They told us they were given clear information about their planned treatment and the estimated costs. They said that they were asked for their consent before any treatment was given. We saw evidence of this in the patient records that we looked at.

People also told us that they were satisfied with the treatment they received at the service. One person said, 'The staff are very friendly and I have no fear. The provider is the best dentist I have ever had, very gentle and I am very happy with the treatment I have had here.'

People were protected from the risk of abuse because the provider had systems in place to recognise and report any incidents of abuse. Staff were aware of what their responsibilities were in relation to safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.

Staff were suitably trained and supported to deliver care and treatment safely and to an appropriate standard.

There was an effective complaints system in place available. Comments and complaints people made were responded to appropriately.