We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 07 February 2017 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

Berwick Smile Dental Care was initiated in 2010 and provides private treatment to patients of all ages. The purpose-built practice consists of two treatment rooms, two consultation rooms, a dedicated decontamination room for sterilising dental instruments, a reception with waiting area, a staff room and general office. Car parking is available in front of the practice. Access for wheelchair users or pushchairs is possible via the ground-floor entrance.

The practice is open Monday – Thursday 0900 -1700 and Friday 0900 -1300 with extended opening hours to 1900 once a week on alternate Mondays and Wednesdays.

The dental team is comprised of the principal dentist (who is also the registered provider), an associate dentist, a dental hygienist and five dental nurses (one of whom is a trainee). The senior dental nurse is also a treatment co-ordinator and all dental nurses undertake administration and reception duties.

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual. 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.

The practice offers general and specialised dental treatments including dental implants and simple orthodontics.

We reviewed 15 CQC comment cards on the day of our visit; patients were very positive about the staff and standard of care provided by the practice. Patients commented they felt involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be helpful, respectful, friendly and were treated in a clean and tidy environment.

Our key findings were:

• Staff were very friendly, caring and enthusiastic.
• The practice was visibly clean and an Infection prevention and control policy was in place.
• We saw sterilisation procedures followed recommended guidance.
• The practice had systems for recording incidents and accidents.
• Dental professionals provided treatment in accordance with current professional guidelines.
• Patient feedback was regularly sought and reflected upon.
• Patients could access urgent care when required.
• Dental professionals were maintaining their continued professional development (CPD) in accordance with their professional registration.
• Complaints were dealt with in an efficient and positive manner.
• Staff received annual medical emergency training.
• Equipment for dealing with medical emergencies mostly reflected guidance from the resuscitation council.
• Staff were aware on how to escalate safeguarding issues for children and adults should the need arise. Contact details were available within their safeguarding policy.
• Staff were involved in charity work, providing oral health education and dental treatment abroad.

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

• Review the current legionella risk assessment and implement the required actions including the monitoring and recording of water temperatures, giving due regard to the guidelines issued by the Department of Health - Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices and The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance
• Review the responsibilities with regards to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 and ensure all documentation is up to date.
• Review the practice’s sharps procedures giving due regard to the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.
• Review the system for training, assessment and supervision of all staff.
• Review the system for identifying and disposing of out-of-date medicines and equipment.
• Review the storage of medicines requiring refrigeration to ensure the fridge temperature is monitored and recorded.

We spoke with four people about how they were cared for and treated at the practice. People told us they were happy with the service provided. One person said, “It’s star quality” and “I couldn’t do without them. They really are a boom for this area…A definite plus for Berwick, I’m just glad I found them” and “Berwick Smile is a life line.” Another person told us, “it totally and utterly outweighs any dental experience I have ever had in the past” and “it’s unbelievable, my husband and two nieces now go there.” Other comments included, “I was very nervous to go in, but once I was there I felt completely at ease” and “It’s just incredibly impressive and extremely professional service.”