We carried out this announced inspection on 28 August 2018 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We planned the inspection to check whether the registered provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it caring?

• Is it responsive to people’s needs?

• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

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

Station Dental Practice is in Leyland and provides NHS and private treatment to adults and children.

There is assisted access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.

The dental team includes the principal dentist, three associate dentists, nine dental nurses of whom four are trainees, one dental hygiene therapist and a practice manager. The practice has five treatment rooms of which two are situated on the ground floor.

The practice is a training practice for Foundation Dentists and Dental Hygiene Therapists.The practice has also been accredited as a Tier 2 Minor Oral Surgery Provider since 2014. This service is undertaken by a visiting Oral and Maxillofacial Consultant.

The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.

On the day of inspection, we collected 30 CQC comment cards filled in by patients.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, one associate dentist, four dental nurses and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 7-45am - 4.15pm.

Tuesday 8.45am - 6.15 pm.

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
• The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• The practice staff had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The provider had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• The provider was providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs.
• The practice had effective leadership and culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
• The provider had suitable information governance arrangements.

There was an area where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Review the availability of a second oxygen cylinder. A risk assessment should be performed based on agreed response times with the local ambulance service.

We spoke with patients being treated by each of the four dentists who were working on the day we visited. Without exception all the feedback we received was extremely positive.

Comments included;

“The implications of treatment are explained to me. They don’t give me false hope. They give me options so I can choose the treatment I want.”

“I am always told how much my treatments will cost.”

“They are always really nice. It’s not like walking in and talking to strangers. The reception staff are very friendly and put me at ease.”

“I am extremely satisfied with everything.”

“I trust them all. I have never had a bad experience. The dentist and the hygienist are really nice with my children who come here too.”

Patients told us they were happy with the care and treatment they received at the practice and they were confident that their individual needs were met.