Updated 9 February 2023
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 9 January 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 was visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- 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 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.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Most appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available. However, some improvements were required in regard to ensuring the kit contained Buccal Midazolam and all sizes of face masks.
- Improvements were also required in regard to the practice’s use of closed-circuit television (CCTV).
- The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation. However, improvements were required to ensure references were recorded appropriately.
Background
Premier Orthodontics Bromley is in the London borough of Bromley 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 dental team includes a principal dentist, 3 dental nurses, a dental hygienist, an orthodontic therapist a receptionist and a practice manager. The practice has 1 treatment room.
During the inspection we spoke with the dentist, a dental nurse and the receptionist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday, Thursday & Friday : 09:30-17:00
Tuesday : 09:30-18:00
Wednesday: 09:30-18:30
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Take action to ensure audits of radiography are undertaken at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service. Practice should also ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.
- Implement protocols for the use of closed-circuit television cameras taking into account the guidelines published by the Information Commissioner's Office.
- Take action to ensure the availability of medicines and equipment in the practice to manage medical emergencies taking into account the guidelines issued by the British National Formulary and the General Dental Council.
- Take action to ensure all clinicians are adequately supported by a trained member of the dental team when treating patients in a dental setting taking into account the guidance issued by the General Dental Council.