We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 29 October 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.

Bedford Specialist Orthodontic Centre is a specialist referral centre providing NHS and private orthodontic care and treatment. The practice is situated in a converted domestic property. The practice had three dental treatment rooms and a separate decontamination room for cleaning, sterilising and packing dental instruments.

The premises is located over two floors and consists of three treatment rooms, a reception area and waiting areas. There is also a separate decontamination room.

The staff at the practice consist of a practice manager, a principal orthodontist (who is also the registered manager), an associate orthodontist, an orthodontic therapist, four dental nurses and a receptionist.

A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. 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.

Our key findings were:

• There were effective systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. We found the treatment rooms and equipment were visibly clean.

• There were systems in place to check equipment had been serviced regularly, including the air compressor, autoclave, fire extinguishers, oxygen cylinder and the X-ray equipment.

• We found the dentists regularly assessed each patient’s gum health and took X-rays at appropriate intervals.

• The practice ensured staff maintained the necessary skills and competence to support the needs of patients.

• The practice kept up to date with current guidelines when considering the care and treatment needs of patients.

• Staff demonstrated knowledge of the practice whistleblowing policy and were confident they would raise a concern about another staff member’s performance if it was necessary.

• At our visit we observed staff were positive, friendly, supportive and put patients at their ease.

• We received feedback from 43 patients which was all very positive. Common themes were patients felt they received excellent service from kind and caring staff in a welcoming environment.

• There was an effective system in place to act on feedback received from patients and staff.

• There were systems in place to assess, monitor and improve the quality of service provided.