We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 24 August 2016 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

Brightlingsea Dental Practice is a small private dental practice situated in a purpose converted building in Brightlingsea High Street, Essex.

The practice has one treatment room, a combined patient waiting reception area. Decontamination takes place in a dedicated decontamination room (Decontamination is the process by which dirty and contaminated instruments are bought from the treatment room, washed, inspected, sterilised and sealed in pouches ready for use again).

The practice is owned and managed by two dentist partners. At the time of our inspection there was no registered manager. 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. Health and social care providers who are not registered as individuals are required to have a registered manager.

The practice offers general and cosmetic dental treatments to adults and children on a private fee paying basis. The opening hours of the practice are 9am to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays. The practice is closed on Saturdays and closes for lunch between 1pm and 2pm during weekdays.

We left comment cards at the practice for the two weeks preceding the inspection. 24 people provided feedback about the service in this way. All of the comments made indicated that patients were very happy with the dental care and treatment that they received and the welcoming, attentive and caring attitude of the dentists and dental nurses.

Our key findings were:

• There was an effective complaints system and learning from complaints was used to make improvements where this was required.
• The practice was visibly clean and clutter free and Infection control practices met national guidance.
• There were a number of systems in place to help keep people safe, including safeguarding vulnerable children and adults.
• Dental care and treatments were carried out in line with current legislation and guidelines.
• Patients reported that they were received excellent dental care and staff were understanding, polite and helpful.
• Patients were involved in making decisions about their care and treatments.
• The practice provided a flexible appointments system and could normally arrange a routine appointment within a few days or emergency appointments mostly on the same day.
• The practice kept medicines and equipment for use in medical emergencies. These were in line with national guidance and regularly checked so that they were fit for use.
• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties, and equipment was well maintained.
• Governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the service.
• Patient’s views were sought and used to make improvements to the service where these were identified.

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

• Submit an application to CQC for a relevant person to be registered as the manager for the service.

When we inspected Brightlingsea Dental Practice on the 21 February 2014 we found that people were provided with information about treatment and were asked for their consent prior to any treatment being carried out. People’s needs were assessed and treatment was planned and delivered in line with those needs. This assessment took account of people's general health and dental history. Treatment plans were detailed. Staff received relevant training.

The practice operated safe decontamination techniques according to government guidance. People were protected against the risk of infection because staff followed appropriate infection control practices.

Staff were supported to maintain their professional registration through continued professional development. Staff received training in key aspects of their role.

The provider had an effective system to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people received and took account of their feedback.