We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 22 July 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.

Background

Dove Dental Care is located close to the centre of Derby, just off the inner ring road. There are good public transport links and pay and display car parking close by.

The practice treats both private and NHS patients, with the majority (approximately 80%) being NHS. Most patients live in Derby or the surrounding area.

The practice has nine dentists. In addition, the practice has two hygienists/therapists and eight dental nurses plus two trainee dental nurses. There were five receptionist staff and a practice manager.

The practice opening hours were: Monday to Friday: 7:45 am to 5:30 pm and Saturday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

The practice manager is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.

We viewed 114 CQC comment cards that had been completed by patients, about the services provided. We saw that all 114 comment cards had positive comments. Patients said they were happy with the service provided, and found staff friendly, welcoming and professional. In addition, we spoke with three patients who all said they were happy with the dental service they were receiving. Patients said they felt respected and were treated well at the practice. All three patients said they were able to ask questions, and the dentist explained the treatment options and they were going to do before treatment started.

Our key findings were:

• The practice had systems for recording accidents, significant events and complaints.
• Accidents, significant events and complaints were analysed and learning from them was shared with staff.
• The practice had provided training in safeguarding and whistle blowing for it’s staff.
• Staff knew the procedures to follow to raise any concerns.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• The practice had ensured staff had been trained to handle emergencies.
• Emergency medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available.
• The practice followed the relevant guidance ( Department of Health's guidance, ‘Health Technical Memorandum 01-05 (HTM 01-05) for infection control.
• Patients’ care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
• Patients were involved in making decisions about their treatment.
• Patients confidentiality was maintained.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they received.

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

• Consider reviewing audits and policies as appropriate so that versions are dated and staff can be sure that the documentation is the latest available.

People we spoke to said that they received care which met their needs and felt staff communicated with them well. They also said that they felt the practice was clean and that staff used personal protective equipment to ensure hygienic practice.