We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 6 September 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 Dental Centre is a dental practice providing general dental services on a NHS and private basis. The service is provided by seven dentists. They are supported by eight dental nurses (three of whom are trainees), a practice manager (who is a registered dentist) and two receptionists. All of the dental nurses also carry out reception duties.

The practice is located in a residential area near local amenities and bus routes. There is wheelchair access to the practice and car parking facilities. The premises consist of a waiting room, a reception area, two treatment rooms, store cupboards and toilet facilities for people with disabilities on the ground floor. The first floor comprises of two decontamination rooms, a storage room, six treatment rooms, an office, a waiting room, a reception area, a staff changing room, two storage rooms, a staff toilet and accessible toilet facilities. There is also a dedicated room for taking X-rays. A lift and staircase connect the ground and first floors. The practice opened from 9am to 5pm on Monday to Friday.

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.

Thirty-eight patients provided feedback about the practice. We looked at CQC comment cards patients had completed prior to the inspection and spoke with three patients during our visit. Patient feedback was positive about the care they received from the practice. They described staff as caring, knowledgeable and respectful. Patients commented they felt involved in their treatment and it was fully explained to them. Nervous patients said they felt at ease here and others praised the staff for their child-friendly approach.

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 polite and friendly. Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed.
• 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.
• 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.
• The practice had a strong focus on promoting oral health to the community, particularly patients diagnosed with dementia.
• Staff told us they felt well supported and comfortable to raise concerns or make suggestions.
• Practice meetings were used for shared learning.
• The practice demonstrated that they regularly undertook audits in infection control, radiography and dental care record keeping.
• Not all of the dentists were following recognised guidance with respect to their dental care record keeping.

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

• Review the practice’s protocols for the use of rubber dam for root canal treatment giving due regard to guidelines issued by the British Endodontic Society
• Review the practice’s protocols for recording in the patients’ dental care records the quality of the X-ray and the clinical X-ray findings.