We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 21 October 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

The practice is located within a purpose adapted residential building in Benfleet, Essex and offers a range of private preventative, restorative and cosmetic dental treatments to adults and children.

The practice is open and offers appointments for patients at the following times; between 8am and 7pm on Mondays, 9am and 7pm on Tuesdays, open for emergency treatments only on Wednesdays and Saturdays and between 8am and 5pm on Thursdays and Fridays.

The practice employs one dentist, one trainee dental nurse and one receptionist.

The practice is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an organisation. The principal dentist is the registered manager. 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 practice has one treatment room, a combined waiting room and a reception area. Decontamination takes place within a dedicated space in the dental treatment room. (Decontamination is the process by which dirty and contaminated instruments are bought from the treatment room, washed, inspected, sterilised and sealed in pouches ready for use again).

Our key findings were:

• The practice had systems in place for investigating and learning from complaints, safety incidents and accidents. Staff were aware of their responsibilities to report incidents.
• The practice was visibly clean and clutter free. Infection control practices were reviewed and audited to test their effectiveness.
• There were systems in place to help keep people safe, including safeguarding vulnerable children and adults. Staff undertook training and were aware of their roles and responsibilities.
• The practice referred to and used current guidance in relation to dentistry when assessing patients’ needs and delivering treatment.
• The practice medicines and equipment for use in the event of a medical emergency were in line with current guidelines. Records were maintained in respect of the checks carried out for these medicines and equipment.
• Staff undertook training in respect of their roles and responsibilities within the practice.
• Patients reported that they were treated with respect and that staff were polite and helpful.
• Patients were involved in making decisions about their care and treatments.
• The practice offered a flexible appointment service to meet the needs of patients and could normally arrange a routine appointment within a few days or emergency appointments mostly on the same day.
• Effective governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the service.
• Audits and reviews were carried out used to make improvements to the service.
• Patient’s views were sought and these were used to make improvements to the service where these were identified.