Updated 1 November 2021
We carried out this short notice announced inspection on 15 October 2021 under section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We planned the inspection to follow up on information of concern we received and 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 CQC specialist dental advisor.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing 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:
Are services safe?
We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services effective?
We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services well-led?
We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
Pearl Dental Clinic is in the London Borough of Kingston upon Thames and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
The practice consists of five general dental practitioners, a prosthodontist, endodontist, orthodontist, periodontist and a paedodontist. The dentists are supported by five dental nurses and two dental hygienists. and a practice manager. Three receptionists and two practice managers also work at the practice. The practice has three treatment rooms.
The practice is owned by a partnership and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the CQC as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at Pearl Dental Clinic is the principal dentist.
During the inspection we spoke with three dentists, two dental nurses, one receptionist and the two practice managers.
The practice is open between 9am and 10pm Mondays to Sundays.
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance. These include arrangements to manage risks of COVID-19 virus in accordance with current guidelines.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available, and staff undertook training in basic life support.
- The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The provider 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 provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- The provider had information governance arrangements.