• Dentist
  • Dentist

Dental Clinic

407 Kings Road, Chelsea, London, SW10 0LR (020) 7352 7049

Provided and run by:
Mr. Keval Shah

All Inspections

03/11/2023

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 3 November 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.
  • 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.
  • Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. However, not all of the life-saving equipment was available as per national guidelines. Following the inspection, the provider took immediate action to rectify this.

Background

Dental Clinic known as Teeth and Smiles is in the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea 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, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 6 dentists, 1 qualified dental nurse, 3 trainee dental nurses, 2 dental hygienists, and 2 receptionists. The practice has 4 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, 2 associate dentists, the qualified dental nurse, and 1 receptionist. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5.30pm

Friday from 9am to 2.30pm

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

  • Take action to ensure the availability of equipment in the practice to manage medical emergencies taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK) and the General Dental Council.
  • 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.
  • Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records and prescribing antibiotics.

30 May 2013

During a routine inspection

The practice had a website which featured details about their location, their staff, the treatments available and the costs of treatment. People's views and experiences were taken into account in the way the service was provided and delivered in relation to their care. We spoke with people using the service who told us that the dentists explained "everything" to them and that their advice was "very good". They said that the dentists talked through their options and that information on fees was clear.

Before people received any treatment they were required to complete a medical history questionnaire which asked appropriate questions about medical conditions, any medications people were taking and any allergies that people may have. People we spoke with described the service as "the best", "exceptional" and said that the "quality of care is very high". There were arrangements in place to deal with foreseeable emergencies.

On the day of the inspection the practice was clean and tidy. People we spoke with described the practice as "very clean".

Staff undertook annual training in appropriate mandatory topics such as Basic Life Support and safeguarding vulnerable adults and children. They received annual appraisals where their performance was discussed and development plans for the year were put in place.

The provider had an effective system to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people receive.