The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

High Barnet Dental Care

59 High Street, Barnet, Hertfordshire, EN5 5UR (020) 8275 2980

Provided and run by:
High Barnet Dental Care

All Inspections

6 June 2023

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 6 June 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 appeared 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 manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises.
  • 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.

Background

High Barnet Dental Care is in the London Borough of Barnet and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 4 principal dentists, 4 associate dentists, 1 specialist periodontist, 1 specialist oral surgeon, 2 qualified dental nurses, 4 trainee dental nurses, 4 dental hygienists, 1 practice manager and 3 receptionists. The practice has 5 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 of the principal dentists, 1 qualified dental nurse, 2 trainee dental nurse, 1 dental hygienist, 2 receptionists and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday from 9am to 5.30pm

Saturday from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

4 February 2014

During a routine inspection

Patients' dignity was respected. During our inspection, we saw that staff interaction with patients was personable, friendly and respectful. The provider's latest 6 monthly patient survey (January 2014) showed that most of the 30 patients 'strongly agreed' that staff were 'helpful and courteous.'

Patients we spoke with were positive about the quality of care and treatment received. One patient remarked 'it's important to have a dentist that you're confident can provide value for money - without compromising treatment.'

Staff we spoke with demonstrated an understanding of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. A dentist we spoke with was able to describe possible types of abuse such as physical and emotional abuse whilst reception staff were able to explain how they would report safeguarding concerns.

We saw that the provider's reception and treatment rooms were clean and clutter free. None of the patients we spoke with expressed concerns about the cleanliness of the practice with one patient referring to it as 'spotless.'

We saw that patient medical histories were updated at each visit as necessary. This meant that the provider had accurate records to help identify and manage risks in relation to providing treatment.