Updated 2 September 2021
We undertook a follow up focused inspection of The Gentle Dentist on 4 August 2021. This inspection was carried out to review in detail the actions taken by the registered provider to improve the quality of care and to confirm that the practice was now meeting legal requirements.
The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist advisor.
We undertook a comprehensive inspection of The Gentle Dentist on 18 May 2021 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We found the registered provider was not providing safe, effective and well led care and was in breach of Regulations 12- Safe Care and Treatment and 17- Good Governance of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can read our report of that inspection by selecting the 'all reports' link for The Gentle Dentist on our website www.cqc.org.uk.
As part of this inspection we asked:
• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• Is it well-led?
Our findings were:
Are services safe?
We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations. The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breaches we found at our inspection on 18 May 2021.
Are services effective?
We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breaches we found at our inspection on 18 May 2021.
Are services well-led?
We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breaches we found at our inspection on 18 May 2021.
Background
The Gentle Dentist is located in Covent Garden in the London Borough of Camden. Recent published data shows that oral health in Camden was comparable to other London boroughs, however it was higher than England average. The practice provides private treatments to patients of all ages from a converted terraced property. The practice offered conscious sedation to adults which is undertaken by a visiting anaesthesiologist and the principal dentist.
The first two floors of the building consist of four surgeries, a separate decontamination room, reception area and a waiting room.
The practice is situated close to public transportation services and local amenities including supermarkets and a post office.
The dental team includes the principal dentist who leased the practice, a specialist orthodontist, a visiting endodontist, two dental hygienists, two full time dental nurses and a full-time practice manager.
The practice is run by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.
The practice is open:
Monday: 09:00 - 20:00
Tuesday: 09:00 - 21:00
Wednesday: 08:00 - 18:00
Thursday: 08:00 - 18:00
Friday: 08:00 - 16:00
During out of hours, patients are advised to contact the dedicated phone number for advice and or treatment.
On the day of the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, one dental nurse, one dental hygienist, one receptionist/practice manager. We also looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
Our key findings were:
- Staff had been fit tested for respiratory protective equipment.
- The provider had taken reasonable steps to identify, mitigate and manage the risks to patients specifically to those relating to fire safety, legionella and electrical safety.
- We found the risk of harm to patient from conscious sedation has been mitigated.
- Recruitment checks had improved.
- The provider now had a process in place to receive patient safety alerts.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- Information governance arrangements had improved to safeguard patients’ personal information.
- Steps had been taken to improve policies and procedures to reflect the practice protocols.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- 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.
- Improve the practice's systems for assessing, monitoring and mitigating the various risks arising from the use of latex material.