Swiss Cottage Dental Clinic

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 20 October 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 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?

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.

Background

The provider has 3 dental practices and this report is about Swiss Cottage Dental Centre.

Swiss Cottage Dental Centre is in Swiss Cottage in the London Borough of Camden and provide NHS and 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. For example, one side of the reception counter provided low access for those in wheelchairs.

The dental team includes 1 principal dentist, 1 associate dentist, 1 dental hygienist/therapist, 2 qualified dental nurses and 2 reception staff. They are supported by a practice manager who worked peripatetically across the three practices. The practice has 2 treatment rooms and a separate decontamination room.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, the dental hygienist/ therapist, 1 dental nurse, 1 of the reception 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 9am to 6pm. During out of hours, patients were advised to contact the NHS 111 service for urgent and emergency care.

There was an area where the provider could make improvement. They should:

• Improve the practice's protocols and procedures for the use of X-ray equipment in compliance with The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 and Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 and taking into account the guidance for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-ray Equipment.