Updated 14 March 2023
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 22 February 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.
- 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. Improvements were required to ensure audits were analysed and results documented for continuous learning.
- 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
Imperial College Dental Surgery is in South Kensington in the London borough of Westminster 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. There are limited paid car parking spaces close to the practice, however the practice has a parking space available for disabled people. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.
The dental team includes 2 principal dentists, 9 associate dentists, 5 dental nurses, 4 trainee dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist, 1 dental therapist, 4 receptionists, 1 administrator, 2 practice managers and a support team member. The practice has 4 treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with 1 of the principal dentists, 4 associate dentists, 1 dental nurse, 2 receptionists and 1 of the practice managers. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
8am to 8pm Monday to Fridays and 9am to 5pm Saturdays.
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.
- Take action to ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.