Updated 20 April 2022
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 15 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 appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
- 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.
- Not all systems were effective in managing risks to patients and staff, for example, those relating to legionella and fire.
- 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 and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
- Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
- The dental clinic had systems in place to support good governance.
Background
There were three providers registered with the CQC at this address. This report is about Unique Dental & Facial Clinic- PS Dental & Global Ent Ltd.
This dental practice is in Finchley and comes under the Clinical Commissioning Group of Camden. They provide private dental care and treatment for adults and children. They also offer non-surgical minor facial aesthetics- a cosmetic surgery we do not regulate at the time of our inspection.
The premises is a shop fronted building with level access into the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. There is limited car parking spacing available near the practice, however they were well served by local transportation including access to London Overground train services.
The dental team includes the principal dentist who was supported by a dental nurse who also undertakes reception duties. The practice has three treatment rooms- only one of which was rented by the provider.
During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist and interviewed the dental nurse via telephone following the inspection. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open on Saturdays only; Outside of these hours, patient’s requiring emergency care and treatment are seen by the dental practices who occupy the building Monday to Friday. Patients are advised to contact the principal dentist’s mobile number outside of normal business hours.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve the practice's governance arrangements for monitoring and mitigating the various risks arising from the undertaking of the regulated activities.