Updated 22 December 2021
We carried out this announced inspection on 18 November 2021 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 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 are three of the five questions that 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
Ace Dental is located in Wanstead in the London Borough of Redbridge and provides NHS and private dental treatment to patients of all ages. They provide; general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry and specialist dental treatment to adults and children. The practice is easily accessible by Transport for London underground and bus services. The location, a shop front building is based along the village high street which has access to various amenities. Paid parking spaces are available near the practice including for blue badge holders. The constraints of building does not allow for wheelchair access.
The practice is owned by the principal dentist who is the responsible individual and has a legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. They are registered to provide the regulated activities of treatment of disease, disorder or injury, surgical procedures and diagnostic and screening procedures from three locations.
The dental team includes three dentists, two trainee dental nurses and one receptionist who were supported by a business manager and a practice manager. The practice has two treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, one associate dentist, one trainee dental nurse, the practice manager and the business manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday: 09.00am- 6.00pm
Tuesday: 09.00am- 7.00pm
Wednesday: 09.30am- 7.00pm
Thursday: 09.00am- 5.30pm
Friday: 08:30am- 5.00pm
Saturday: 10.00am- 2.00pm
Outside of these advertised hours, patients are advised to contact a dedicated telephone number to access emergency care.
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
- There were procedures for assessing, monitoring and managing risks to patient and staff safety.
- The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- 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.
- Internal survey data showed that staff treated patients with dignity and respect.
- 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.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Implement audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry.
- Improve the security of NHS prescription pads in the practice and ensure there are systems in place to track and monitor their use.