Crystal Palace Dental Practice

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 11 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 provider 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 well-led?

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

Our findings were:

• The dental clinic appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance. However, improvements were required to ensure that infection control audit is carried out every six months in line with relevant guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available. However, improvements were required to ensure that medicines are stored in line with the manufacturer’s guidance.
• 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.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.

Background

Crystal Palace Dental Practice is in the London borough of Croydon and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The practice does not have step-free access; however, people with mobility issues and those who use wheelchairs are referred to a nearby dental practice.

Car parking spaces are available near the practice.

The dental team includes six dentists, two dental nurses, two trainee nurses and two receptionists. The practice has five treatment rooms.

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

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm.

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

• Improve the practice protocols to ensure that premises and equipment checks are completed in a timely manner.
• Ensure that medicines are stored in line with the manufacturer’s guidance.
• Implement an effective system to ensure that infection control audits are carried out every six months in line with the relevant guidance.