We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 6 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

Strictly Dental Ltd Carlisle is also known as Campbell and Wilson Dental Practice and is situated close to Carlisle city centre. It offers mainly private dental treatments to patients of all ages but also offers NHS dental treatments to children. The services include preventative advice and treatment, routine restorative dental care and dental implants. Dr Satya Patel became the principal dentist in 2015 and worked alongside Dr Ian Wilson. Dr Wilson retired in August 2016.

The practice has four surgeries, a decontamination room and a reception area. The reception area, one surgery and a patient toilet are on the ground floor of the premises. Surgery three and a further patient toilet are situated on the first floor and there is a waiting area for patients. The other two surgeries, the decontamination room and the second waiting area are on the second floor. Access to the practice is secured through an entry buzzer system.

There are four dentists, three part time dental hygiene therapists, six qualified dental nurses, a receptionist and a group practice manager

The opening hours are Tuesday and Wednesday from 8.30am to 5.30pm, 8.30am to 6.30pm on Monday and Thursday and Friday from 8.30am to 4.40pm.

During the inspection we reviewed 11 completed CQC comment cards. The patients were positive about the care and treatment they received at the practice. Comments included staff were friendly, polite and caring. They also commented that treatments were explained clearly, they were listened to and options about treatment were offered.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was visibly clean and uncluttered.
• The practice had systems in place to assess and manage risks to patients and staff including health and safety and the management of medical emergencies.
• Staff were qualified and had received training appropriate to their roles.
• Patients were involved in making decisions about their treatment and were given clear explanations about their proposed treatment including costs, benefits and risks.
• Dental care records showed that treatment was planned in line with current best practice guidelines.
• Oral health advice and treatment were provided in-line with the ‘Delivering Better Oral Health’ toolkit (DBOH).
• We observed that patients were treated with kindness and respect by staff.
• Staff ensured there was sufficient time to explain fully the care and treatment they were providing in a way patients understood.
• The practice had a complaints system in place and there was an openness and transparency in how these were dealt with.
• Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed.
• The governance systems were effective.
• There were clearly defined leadership roles within the practice and staff told us that they felt supported, appreciated and comfortable to raise concerns or make suggestions.

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

• Review the security arrangements for the decontamination room.
• Review the storage of local anaesthetics in the surgeries.
• Review the systems in place to monitor and track the use of prescription pads.