We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 31 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.

Background

Inspired Dental Care is located in Exeter city centre. The practice is situated over two upper floors in a commercial area of the city. There is a passenger lift for access to the practice for patients with limited mobility. There are three treatment rooms, a decontamination room, a ‘Chompers’ Club’ lounge for educating children about good oral health care, a reception with a waiting area and a further patient lounge.

The practice provides private dental services and cosmetic dental services to approximately 1500 patients. The majority of patients are adults.

The staff structure of the practice consists of four dentists (two principle dentists, one periodontal specialist dentist and one sessional sedation dental practitioner). There are two dental hygienists, three dental nurses/receptionists and a practice manager.

The practice is open six days a week from Monday to Saturday. Evening appointments are available on Wednesdays. The practice closes at 3.30pm on Saturdays. There is an answer phone message directing patients to emergency contact numbers when the practice is closed.

The practice manager is the registered manager with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). 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.

The inspection took place over one day and was carried out by a CQC inspector and dental practice manager specialist advisor.

Thirteen patients provided feedback directly to CQC about the service. Patients were positive about the care they received from the practice. They were complimentary about the friendly, professional and caring attitude of the dental staff.

Our key findings were:

• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned in line with current guidance such as from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

• There were effective systems in place to reduce and minimise the risk and spread of infection.
• The practice had effective safeguarding processes in place and staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children living in vulnerable circumstances.

• Staff knew how to report incidents and how to record details of these so that the practice could use this information for shared learning.

• Equipment, such as the air compressor, autoclave (steriliser), fire extinguishers, and X-ray equipment had all been checked for effectiveness and had been regularly serviced.

• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties, and equipment was well maintained.

• Patients indicated that they felt they were listened to and that they received good care from a helpful and caring practice team.

• The practice ensured staff maintained the necessary skills and competence to support the needs of patients.

• The practice had implemented clear procedures for managing comments, concerns or complaints.

• The provider had a clear vision for the practice and staff told us they were well supported by the management team.

• Governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the practice.

• Patients with children benefitted from the provision of a dedicated ‘Chompers’ Club’ space, which was child friendly and geared to the education and promotion of good oral health care in children. These education sessions were run by the dentists.

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

• Provide a thermometer in the decontamination room for ensuring the correct water temperature is maintained when hand washing and rinsing dental instruments.
• Develop systems for feeding back to patients about action taken as a consequence of surveys, patient suggestions or comments.