We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 17 November 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

Nottingham Orthodontic Centre was registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on 26 May 2011. The practice is registered to provide regulated dental services to patients in Nottingham and the surrounding areas. The practice provides both NHS and private orthodontic dental treatment, with approximately 95% being NHS patients.

Orthodontics is a dental speciality dealing primarily with the diagnosis, prevention and correction of teeth that are wrongly positioned, and the jaws.

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday: From 8:30 am to 3:30 pm;

The practice has two orthodontic specialists; one dentist with practice limited to orthodontics; one orthodontic therapist; and four dental nurses. The orthodontic therapist is also the practice manager; there is one specific receptionist.

We received feedback from 42 patients about the services provided. The feedback was all positive, with many patients talking about the professionalism of the staff, and how well treatment was explained. Patients also spoke about being treated with dignity and respect, and some who had been receiving treatment for a while talked positively about the results of that treatment.

Our key findings were:

• The practice had effective systems to record, investigate and respond to accidents, significant events and complaints.
• Learning from complaints and significant incidents were recorded and learning was shared with staff.
• All staff had received whistle blowing training and were aware of these procedures and the actions required.
• Patients provided positive feedback about the orthodontic service.
• Patients said they were treated with dignity and respect.
• The practice was able to demonstrate there were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies.
• Emergency medicines, an automated external defibrillator (AED) and oxygen were readily available. An AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses life threatening irregularities of the heart and delivers an electrical shock to attempt to restore a normal heart rhythm.
• The practice followed the relevant guidance from the Department of Health's: ‘Health Technical Memorandum 01-05 (HTM 01-05) for infection control.
• Patients were involved in making decisions about their treatment, and were able to ask questions.
• Options for treatment were identified and explored and discussed with patients and their closest relatives when appropriate.

• Patients’ confidentiality was maintained.

People and their relatives using the service were very happy with the care and treatment offered.

One relative told us that, “They gave us options and we chose the one which would be best for her.”

Another relative stated that the available treatment options were communicated very well, saying that, “It’s all done very nicely and calmly here. You couldn’t have a better service.”

Staff at the practice told us it was a very good place to work stating that; “We’re all a really nice team and I love working here.”