The purpose of this inspection was to find out the answers to five key questions. Is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service safe? Is the service effective? Is the service well led?

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection when we sought information about people's experience and gained views from people who used the service, their relatives, staff who supported them and from looking at records.

During our visit we met with three people who attended the practice for dental checks or treatment. We also spoke with two of the dentists, a newly qualified dentist who was completing their vocational training, two dental nurses, the receptionists and practice manager.

Is the service caring?

The people we spoke with had been using the practice for varying lengths of time from between 10 and 20 years. One person said that the practice was “Really good” and the “best I’ve ever had”. Another person said the dentist they saw was “Brilliant”. They told us they had a real fear of dentists but had been attending the practice for over 20 years and that this continuity meant they were okay now. The other person said the staff were “All very pleasant”.

Is the service responsive?

Clinical notes showed that there had been a check of people’s gum health and soft tissue. Where treatment was provided there was a description of the need for treatment, a record that the person had given consent and the type of treatment they elected. When anaesthetic was used the type, dose and expiry date were recorded. There were similar records when products were used for fillings or impression taking. In one person’s clinical notes we saw how the process of a root canal treatment was described including the tools used.

Is the service safe?

We saw that where people gave verbal consent, this was recorded in their clinical notes. For endodontic therapy (root canal fillings) the practice had a specific consent form for people to read and sign. The form outlined the occasional risks that could occur and people were required to sign the form to indicate they fully understood the document.

People who used the service, staff and visitors were protected against the risks of unsafe or unsuitable premises.

Is the service effective?

The principal dentist and practice manager told us the practice referred people to other ‘specialist’ service providers for complicated endodontic treatments (root canal fillings) and orthodontics (tooth alignment).

One of the dentists at the providers other practice in Abbotswood at Yate performed minor oral surgery. The practice referred people there if they needed such treatment. Sometimes people were referred to the dental hospital in Bristol.

Is the service well led?

The practice manager, who also managed the providers other practice in Yate and the one in Winterbourne, showed us how they were in the process of updating the policies folder. The folders were divided into sections to match the ‘Essential Standards of Quality and Safety’. These were produced by the Care Quality Commission as guidance to providers of regulated services about how to comply with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010.

When we looked at the policies folder, we saw that the manager was gathering evidence so that they were able to demonstrate compliance. The evidence included policies and procedures in addition to the outcomes of audits.

People were cared for by staff who were supported to deliver care and treatment safely and to an appropriate standard.

We spoke with one person who had required emergency dental treatment in the past and they told us that they had been able to get an appointment quickly. Other people told us that where other members of their family had required emergency treatment they had been seen quickly.

People that we spoke with told us that the dentists regularly checked and update their medical history.

On reviewing dental records we saw evidence that the dentist recorded choices of treatment and then recorded the decision made by the patient. One person told us that when they had a broken tooth they had chosen to have it extracted and the dentist was happy to agree with their choice.