- Dentist
Riverway Dental Centre
Assessment report published 12 September 2015
Contents
Judgements
Our view of the service
We carried out this announced on-site inspection on 14 August 2025.
We found the practice had not met all regulations.
The practice had some systems to identify and manage risks, including infection prevention and control. However, checks and systems were not always documented. Audits and risk assessments were not undertaken in line with recommended guidance or timeframes. There was limited evidence of any outcomes or actions from completed audits and risk assessments.
Where actions had been identified as required, there was limited evidence to confirm these had been undertaken or reviewed.
Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles.
Recruitment procedures reflected current legislation. However, there was scope to ensure effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement was established.
Staff provided care and treatment in line with current guidance. They treated patients with dignity and respect and ensured access to care, support and treatment when required.
Riverway Dental Centre is in Benfleet, Essex and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There was a portable ramp for step-free access to the practice and car parking spaces available, including dedicated parking for disabled people, outside the practice.
The practice had 1 treatment room. At the time of our inspection, there was a total of 3 staff, of which there were 1 dentist, 1 dental nurse and 1 receptionist. We gathered feedback from staff and spoke to all 3 staff during our inspection.
The service provides cosmetic treatments, some of which are not in scope of CQC regulation and are not covered in our inspection.
The provider was not complying with 1 regulation. Full details of the regulation the provider was not meeting are within the inspection report.
We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this inspection.
People's experience of this service
Two weeks before our inspection, we asked the practice to encourage patients to share their views of the service with us. On the day of our inspection, we spoke with and saw patient feedback from a further 3 patients. Patient feedback provided a positive view of the dental team and care provided by the practice.
Patients commented positively about the standards of cleanliness.
Patients felt able to book appointments within an acceptable timescale for their needs and said they had enough time during their appointment without feeling rushed.
Patients told us they were given clear information to help them make an informed choice about their treatment and any associated costs. They were involved in decisions about their care.
Patients said when they were prescribed medicines, sufficient information was given.
Patients told us that they were supported to maintain their oral health and were provided with appropriate information and resources.
The practice shared patient feedback with the team. We were told this was reviewed and where suggestions had been made, appropriate action would be taken.