Updated 9 November 2017
We carried out this announced inspection on 9 October 2017 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 CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.
We told the NHS England area team we were inspecting the practice. They did not provide any information that we took into account.
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 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:
Are services safe?
We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services effective?
We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services caring?
We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services responsive?
We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services well-led?
We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
Oasis Dental Care Central - Clapham is based in Clapham and provides NHS and private treatment to patients of all ages.
Car parking spaces are available near the practice for disabled patients.
The dental team includes 10 dentists, three dental nurses, three dental hygienists, two trainee nurses, and two receptionists, one of which is also a dental nurse. The practice has five treatment rooms.
The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the Care Quality Commission 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 Oasis Dental Care Central - Clapham was the practice manager.
On the day of inspection we collected CQC comment cards and spoke with patients. We received feedback from 11 patients. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.
During the inspection we spoke with a dentist, a dental nurse, two receptionists, an area manage and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open Monday and Tuesday 8am to 8pm, Wednesday to Thursday 8am- 7pm, Friday 8am – 3pm and Saturdays 9.00am – 1pm.
Our key findings were:
- The practice was clean and well maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risk.
- The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
- The practice had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
- The appointment system met patients’ needs.
- The practice had effective leadership. Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
- The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Review the practice’s system for the recording, investigating and reviewing incidents or significant events with a view to preventing further occurrences and, ensuring that improvements are made as a result
- Review the practice’s protocols for medicinces management and ensure all medicines are stored and dispensed safely and securely
- Review the practice's recruitment policy and procedures to ensure accurate, complete and detailed records are maintained for all staff.
- Review the practice’s protocols for referral of patients and ensure urgent referrals are monitored suitably.