Archived: Kilburn Dental Clinic

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 31 March 2022 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 adviser.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

Our findings were:

• The dental clinic was visibly clean.
• 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 help them manage most risks to patients and staff.
• 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.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

The provider has three dental practices and this report is about Kilburn Dental Clinic.

Kilburn Dental Clinic is in Kilburn in the London Borough of Camden. The service provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The practice has good links to local transportation service including London Overground Service. There is no level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. This is because the practice is located on the first and second floors of the building and there is no lift access. Paid car parking spaces, including parking for people with disabilities, are available near the practice.

The dental team includes the principal dentist, an associate dentist, a dental nurse, a receptionist and a practice manager. All staff except the associate dentist work peripatetically across the three locations. The practice has one treatment room.

During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, one qualified and one trainee dental nurse, a receptionist and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Thursday 9am to 6pm and

9am to 1pm on Friday.

Outside of these hours, patients are advised to contact the NHS 111 service.

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

• Implement an effective system for monitoring and recording the fridge temperature to ensure that medicines and dental care products are being stored in line with the manufacturer’s guidance.
• Improve the practice's processes for the control and storage of substances hazardous to health identified by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, to ensure risk assessments are undertaken and the products are stored securely.
• Implement processes and systems for seeking and learning from staff feedback with a view to monitoring and improving the quality of the service.