Updated 8 May 2024
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 5 April 2024 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 appeared clean and well-maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate life-saving equipment was available. One emergency medicine was not available as per national guidelines. The provider took timely action to rectify this.
- 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.
- Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
- The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
- There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved, 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 practice had information governance arrangements.
- The practice had systems to manage risks for patients and staff. Improvements were required to ensure equipment and premises were maintained appropriately.
Background
The provider has 2 practices, and this report is about King’s Dental Clinic.
King’s Dental Clinic is in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children. The premises are shared with an Intermediate Minor Oral Surgery Service (IMOS) and an ultrasound clinic.
There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available at the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.
The dental team includes 10 dentists, 5 qualified dental nurses, 3 trainee dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist, 3 receptionists, 2 of whom are also practice managers. The practice has 5 treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with 2 associate dentists, 1 of whom was the clinical lead, 1 dental nurse and the 2 practice managers. We also spoke with the principal dentist by telephone. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5.30pm
Saturday from 10am to 3pm
The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, the practice encouraged the reduction of car journeys and had installed multiple cycle racks at the rear of the premises. The practice used ecological-friendly products where possible and were transitioning to solar energy.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve the security of NHS prescription pads in the practice and ensure there are systems in place to track and monitor their use.
- Implement an effective system for monitoring and recording the fridge temperature to ensure that medicines and dental care products are being stored in line with the manufacturer’s guidance.
- Improve the practice's systems for checking and monitoring equipment taking into account relevant guidance and ensure that all equipment is well maintained. In particular with regard to the compressors.
- Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records.
- Implement audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry.