We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 18 June 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.

The provider delivers an Orthodontic Surgery service from Beaconsfield Dental Practice. The service is available for three half day sessions every month. Referrals to the service are predominantly from the two general dental providers who own the practice from which the Orthodontic service is delivered. The provider delivers orthodontic care and treatment on a private basis.

Mr Kidner is registered as an individual with legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

We met with the provider on the day of inspection. Staff who worked with the provider were employed by the two dentists registered at the practice and we spoke with them. We also reviewed management systems and records relevant to the management of the practice.

We did not speak with any patients who had received Orthodontic treatment because none were present on the day of inspection. None of the comment cards we reviewed referred to Orthodontic treatment. The provider showed us a satisfaction survey they had conducted within the last year. The survey included a sample group of patients and this showed very positive feedback on both outcomes of treatment and the way patients were treated.

The three providers working from the practice shared staff, the premises and the processes and procedures in place to govern the practice. We inspected all three providers on the same day and our findings were relevant to all three.

Our key findings were:

• Staff were supported in receiving training appropriate to their role and to keep up to date with developments and best practice in dental care.
• The facilities were in good order and suitable for the treatments undertaken.
• There were systems in place to keep patients safe and sufficient staff were available.
• Appointments for orthodontic treatment were planned in advance and there were arrangements in place to deal with emergencies.
• The provider was aware of and was following best practice guidelines.

Six people who used the service told us that “they were provided with information about the treatment and the cost of the various treatments.” People said that they were “very satisfied with the service provided by the dentist and staff.”

People told us that they were able to ask questions about their treatment. If they were unsure of any information they were given, the dentist would go over it with them.

People said prior to having treatment the dentist made them aware of how much it would cost.

They said that they were asked to complete a medical questionnaire. At each visit the dentist would verbally ask them if there were changes to their medical condition.

People told us that “the practice was comfortable and accommodating. Appointments were flexible to meet their needs.” One person said “staff always try to fit you in.” A second person said “I phoned the surgery this morning and I was able to get an appointment.”

People told us that they had confidence in the care and treatment they were receiving from the dentist. They said that the practice was “very clean and tidy.”