Pro Dental Clinic

We carried out this unannounced inspection on 17 August 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 always ask the following five 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 was visibly clean and well-maintained.
• The practice had some infection control procedures, but improvements were required in regard to the practice’s decontamination process.
• Most emergency medicines and life-saving equipment were available as per current national guidance. However, some items were missing, and improvements were required in regard to staff awareness of the emergency kit’s location. There was also scope to improve the physical checking process for the emergency equipment.
• Improvements were required in regard to the practice’s procedures related to the use of X-ray equipment.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk 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.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and 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 dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

Pro Dental Clinic is located in the City of Westminster and provides private dental care and treatment for adults.

Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice.

The dental team includes three dentists, one head dental nurse, a trainee dental nurse, a dental hygienist, two receptionists, a trainee manager/treatment coordinator and a practice manager (who is also the owner of the practice). The practice has two treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with a dentist, a trainee dental nurse, a trainee manager, 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 – Friday 9am – 6pm

Saturday – 9am – 4pm

We identified regulations the provider was not complying with. They must:

• Ensure care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients.

• Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.

Full details of the regulations the provider was not meeting are at the end of this report.

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

• Implement protocols for the use of closed-circuit television cameras taking into account the guidelines published by the Information Commissioner's Office.
• Implement audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry.