We carried out this announced inspection on 22 August 2017 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We planned the inspection to check whether the registered provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it caring?

• Is it responsive to people’s needs?

• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

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

Bridge Dental practice is based in Burnley, Lancashire and provides both private and NHS treatment for adults and children.

There is street parking available nearby and the practice is on a public transport route. There is no disabled access to the practice, alternative services are available nearby.

The dental team includes a practice manager, two dentists and three dental nurses (two of whom are trainees).

The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.

On the day of inspection we collected eight CQC comment cards filled in by patients. This information gave us a very positive view of the practice.

During the inspection we spoke with the practice manager (who also managed reception), one dentist and one dental nurse. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday – Friday 9am-5pm.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was clean and well maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available. We noted that the some additional emergency equipment needed to be in place and emergency drugs needed auditing weekly.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk.
• Whilst a legionella assessment was not in place the provider had made arrangements for a full review to be conducted as soon as possible.
• The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• The practice had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs.
• The practice had effective leadership. Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.

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

• Review system for identifying, disposing and replenishing of out-of-date stock of emergency medicines to comply with nationally approved guidance.

During the visit we spoke with two people (patients) who used the service. They told us they were happy with the service they received and said, "They provide an excellent service".

People told us they were provided with information about the treatments and the costs and they had been given enough time and information to make a decision about their treatment. Comments included, "Everything is fully discussed with me".

The people that we spoke with made positive comments about the staff team. They said, "Staff put you at your ease", "Staff are very pleasant; I have been coming here for years", "They are smashing and have been very good with me" and "They are really nice and understanding".

We spoke with three members of the staff team. They told us, "I enjoy working here" and "Everyone is friendly".