Updated 27 September 2023
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 11 August 2023 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 advisor and a second CQC inspector.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following 5 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 appeared clean and well-maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which broadly reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises.
- Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
- The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
- There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved, 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 practice had information governance arrangements.
- The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
Background
Sterling Dental Referral Centre is in the London Borough of Ealing and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children. The practice has a General Dental Services contract to provide NHS conscious sedation for adults and children. This dental practice is adjacent to and linked internally to 2 other dental practices. Sterling Dental Referral Centre shares a decontamination facility with 1 of the practices and all 3 are managed together.
There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.
The dental team includes 2 principal dentists, 3 associate dentists, 4 dental nurses, 1 decontamination operator, 2 practice managers and 2 receptionists. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with 1 principal dentist, 1 associate dentist, 2 dental nurses, 1 decontamination operator, 2 receptionists and 1 practice manager. We also spoke with a business support consultant. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve the security of NHS prescription pads in the practice and ensure there are systems in place to track and monitor their use.
- Improve the practice's protocols and procedures for the use of X-ray equipment in compliance with The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 and Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 and taking into account the guidance for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-ray Equipment.
- Take action to ensure that all clinical staff have adequate immunity for vaccine preventable infectious diseases.
- Implement audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry.