The Merivale Dental Practice

Updated 17 September 2015

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 4th August 2015. The inspection was led by a CQC inspector. They were accompanied by a specialist advisor.

The practice sent us their statement of purpose and a summary of complaints they had received in the last 12 months. We also reviewed further information on the day of the inspection.

We received 49 CQC comment cards completed by patients. We also spoke with five members of staff. We reviewed the policies, toured the premises and examined the cleaning and decontamination of dental equipment.

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 therefore formed the framework for the areas we looked at during the inspection

Updated 17 September 2015

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 4th August 2015 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

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

Merivale Dental is located in the Royal Borough of Greenwich and provides private dental services. The demographics of the practice is mixture of working professionals, families and older people.

The staff structure of the practice is comprised of two principal dentists (who are also the owners), two dentists, one hygienist, two receptionists and three dental nurses.

Facilities within the practice include three treatment rooms, a dedicated decontamination room, and a reception area.

Our key findings were:

• There were effective processes in place to reduce and minimise the risk and spread of infection.
• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned in line with best practice guidance such as from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
• Patients were involved in their care and treatment planning.
• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties and equipment was well maintained.
• Patients told us that staff were caring and treated them with dignity and respect.
• There were processes in place for patients to give their comments and feedback about the service including making complaints and compliments.
• There was a clear vision for the practice. Governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the practice.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

• Maintain accurate, complete and detailed records relating to employment of staff. This includes keeping appropriate records of references taken.
• Review its audit protocols to document learning points that are shared with all relevant staff and ensure that the resulting improvements can be demonstrated as part of the audit process.