We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 10 January 2017 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

Perry Park Dental is a dental practice providing general dental services on a NHS and private basis. The service is provided by three dentists (one of whom is the provider). They are supported by three dental nurses (one of whom is a trainee) and a receptionist. Some of the dental nurses also carry out reception duties.

The practice is located on a main road near local amenities and bus routes. The whole practice is situated on the ground floor and is wheelchair-accessible. Car parking is available directly outside on the main road. The premises consist of a waiting room, a reception area, two offices, staff room, a storage room, decontamination room and two treatment rooms. Toilet facilities were also present for staff and for patients and these were wheelchair-accessible. The practice opened at 9am on Monday to Friday and closing times varied between 5:30pm and 6:30pm. The practice also opened on alternate Saturdays between 9am and 1pm.

The provider is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual. 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.

Fifty-two patients provided feedback about the practice. We looked at comment cards patients had completed prior to the inspection and we also spoke with three patients. The information from patients was complimentary. Patients were extremely positive about their experience and they commented that staff were kind, caring and informative.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was organised and appeared clean and tidy on the day of our visit. Many patients also commented that this was their experience.
• Patients told us they found the staff kind and caring. Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed.
• The practice shared examples of how they demonstrated a strong commitment to their patients' dental care.
• An infection prevention and control policy was in place. We saw the decontamination procedures followed recommended guidance.
• The practice had systems to assess and manage risks to patients, including health and safety, safeguarding, safe staff recruitment and the management of medical emergencies. Some of these areas required improvements which were promptly resolved.
• Dental professionals provided treatment in accordance with current professional guidelines.
• Staff received training appropriate to their roles.
• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties, and equipment was well maintained.
• The practice had an effective complaints system in place and there was an openness and transparency in how these were dealt with.
• Staff told us they felt well supported and comfortable to raise concerns or make suggestions.
• Regular practice meetings were used for shared learning.
• The practice demonstrated that they regularly undertook audits in infection control, radiography and dental care record keeping.

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

• Review the storage of dental care products and medicines requiring refrigeration to ensure they are stored in line with the manufacturer’s guidance and the fridge temperature is monitored and recorded.
• Review the availability of medicines to manage medical emergencies giving due regard to guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK).
• Review their processes for ensuring that recommended servicing and maintenance checks are carried out for essential equipment in a timely manner.

As part of our review, we spoke with four people who use the service. We received fifty-two surveys from people telling us about their experience of the service provided to them.

All the information we obtained from people who attended Perry Park Dental Practice was positive.

People spoke highly about their treatment and the support they had.

People felt involved in making decisions and were given enough information about their treatment.

The environment was clean and comfortable, and people were made to feel welcome.

Comments included:

“Very good service, excellent staff who are very friendly''

“They put you at ease. Treat you with respect and listen to your views''.

“The practice is clean and modern, welcoming, and provides a very good service''.

“Its best dentist I have been to, would not change now, I know what a good dentist looks like''.

“All the staff and the dentist is brilliant with my anxieties, very friendly and the dentist keeps me informed the whole time''.