We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 1 March 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.

Brighton Implant Clinic (Worthing Branch) is a general dental practice in Worthing, West Sussex, offering private dental treatment, including implants, to adults and children.

The practice is situated in the centre of Worthing. The practice has eight treatment rooms (six of which are in use), a decontamination room for the cleaning, sterilising and packing of dental instruments, a consultation room, a waiting area and a reception area. The main entrance to the practice is located on the first floor via a lift or stairs. The practice is contained on one floor and there is full disabled access to all areas. There is a disabled toilet and separate male and female toilets close to the waiting area.

The practice is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm.

Brighton Implant Clinic (Worthing Branch) has eight dentists, seven dental nurses (five of whom are trainees), one hygienist and one receptionist. The team are supported by a practice manager.

Before the inspection we sent Care Quality Commission (CQC) comments cards to the practice for patients to complete to tell us about their experience of the practice. We collected 40 completed cards. All of the comments cards provided a positive view of the service the practice provides. Patients commented that staff were professional, friendly and caring. Several patients commented that the practice was hygienic and safe. Five patients felt that they were treated with respect.

Our key findings were:

• There were systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. The practice was visibly clean and well maintained.
• There were systems in place to check all equipment had been serviced regularly, including the steriliser, fire extinguishers, oxygen cylinder and the X-ray equipment.
• The practice had limited systems in place to gain the comments and views of people who used the service.
• Patients were satisfied with the treatment they received and were complimentary about staff at the practice.
• Staff had received training appropriate to their roles and were supported in their continued professional development (CPD).
• We observed that staff showed a caring and attentive approach towards patients. All patients were recognised and greeted warmly on arrival at reception.
• The practice had effective safeguarding processes in place and staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• Staff were proud of the practice and their team. Staff felt well supported and were committed to providing a quality service to their patients.

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

• Review the practice’s accessibility of protocols and documents for conscious sedation, giving due regard to 2015 guidelines published by The Intercollegiate Advisory Committee on Sedation in Dentistry in the document 'Standards for Conscious Sedation in the Provision of Dental Care 2015’.
• Review staff training to ensure that dental nursing staff who are assisting in conscious sedation have the appropriate training and skills to carry out the role giving due regard to guidelines published by The Intercollegiate Advisory Committee on Sedation in Dentistry in the document 'Standards for Conscious Sedation in the Provision of Dental Care 2015’.
• Review the system of formal staff meetings including the recording of staff meeting minutes to ensure that any learning points are documented and monitored.
• Review the process of collecting and analysing patient feedback and establish an effective system of taking patient’s comments and views into account.
• Review the process for the on-going appraisal and supervision of all staff and review at appropriate intervals the training, learning and development needs of individual staff members.
• Review the arrangements for all staff to receive formal fire training and Mental Capacity Act training.