We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 3 November 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

The practice is owned by Alistair Bartlett Dental Practices Limited

The practice is open Monday and Wednesday 9am to 6pm; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am to 5pm.

There are three dentists (including the principal dentist), a dental nurse, a trainee dental nurse and practice manager. The practice has two dental surgeries and a decontamination room.

The owner of the practice is Alistair Bartlett Dental Practices Ltd who is the registered provider for the practice. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

We received feedback from patients about the service via 44 Care Quality Commission comment cards. All the comments were positive about the staff and the services provided. Comments included: staff are always caring and respectful, very reassuring,excellent treatment and professional.

Our key findings were:

• There was an effective complaints system.
• Staff had received safeguarding training, knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report it.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to manage medical emergencies.
• Infection control procedures were in accordance with the published guidelines.
• Patient care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines and current regulations.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• Patients could access routine treatment and urgent care when required.
• The practice was well-led, staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The governance systems were effective.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.

We spoke with four people who used the service to find out their opinions about the cleanliness of the dental practice. Everyone we spoke with told us the practice was always clean. One person told us, “It’s very clean and hygienic.” Another person said, “It’s spotless. I could eat my dinner off their floors, it’s immaculate."

Staff had access to, and used, personal protective equipment such as gloves, disposable plastic aprons and eye protection. In addition, people told us they were given protective equipment to wear during their treatment to help prevent cross infection and eye injuries. One person told us, “I am always given goggles and an apron whenever I have any treatment.” This helped to ensure that people and staff, were protected against identifiable risks of acquiring a health care associated infection.

We found the practice was clean and there were effective systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection.

We spoke with five people to find out their opinions of the treatment they had received. People told us they were involved in planning their treatment and were given information and possible options for treatment. One person told us, “They tell me everything in great detail. Sometimes I wish I hadn’t asked, but they tell me everything.” We found that people’s views and experiences were taken into account in the way the service was provided and delivered in relation to their care.

Everyone we spoke with made positive comments and indicated they were pleased with the treatment they received. One person told us, “The dentist is excellent. I needed a lot of complex and specialist work done. He referred me to a specialist dental hospital to confirm his thoughts, and then he carried out the work, brilliant.” We found that people experienced care, treatment and support that met their needs and protected their rights.

We found that effective arrangements were not always in place to comply with national guidance for the prevention and control of risks from infection.

People told us they thought staff knew what they were doing. We found that people were cared for by staff that were supported to deliver care and treatment safely and to an appropriate standard.

The provider had an effective system in place to identify, assess and manage risks to the health, safety and welfare of people who used the service and others.