We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 9 August 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

Newmarket Road Dental Clinic provides only private treatment to adults and children. The practice opened in 2008 and is situated in a converted residential property There are two full time dentists who are supported by appropriate numbers of dental nurses and administrative staff. The practice has two dental treatment rooms, a consultation room and a separate decontamination room for cleaning, sterilising and packing dental instruments. There is a large reception and waiting area, and staff room. The practice serves about 2000 patients.

The practice is open from 9am to 5.00pm Monday to Fridays only.

Before the inspection we sent comment cards to the practice for patients to complete to tell us about their experience of the practice. We received feedback from 43 patients: these provided an overwhelmingly positive view of the practice and its staff.

Our key findings were:

• Patients commented on the effectiveness of their treatment, the professionalism of staff and the cleanliness of the environment. They reported that it was easy to get through on the phone and that they rarely waited long having arrived for their appointment.

• The practice had systems to help ensure patient safety. These included safeguarding children and adults from abuse, maintaining the required standards of infection prevention and control, and responding to medical emergencies.

• Staff reported incidents and kept records of these which the practice used for shared learning.

• There were robust arrangements for identifying, recording and managing risks and implementing mitigating actions.

• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.

• Patients received their care and treatment from well trained and supported staff, who enjoyed their work.

• Dentists provided dental care in accordance with current professional and National Institute for Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, and had advanced qualifications in cosmetic dentistry.

• Staff had received training appropriate to their roles and were supported in their continued professional development.

• Clinical governance was good and a range of audits was undertaken to ensure standards were maintained.

• The practice listened to its patients and staff and acted upon their feedback.

• The practice was well-led, staff felt involved and supported, and worked well as a team

During our inspection we spoke with two people who used the service, two dental nurses, the receptionist and the principal dentist. We observed how people were greeted and treated, the cleaning and sterilising of instruments and checked four people's records. The staff made all the records, policies and information accessible to us. The two people we spoke with told us they were always given a copy of their treatment plan that showed the cost of the treatment. One person knew about the dental payment plan but told us they preferred to pay when they had the treatment.

The practice had systems in place to monitor and reduce cross infection, safeguarding people and investigating complaints. There was the opportunity for people to air their views through the patient satisfaction survey and we saw that the information gathered was used to improve quality of care. Both surgeries could be accessed by people with mobility difficulties as both were situated on the ground floor. The practice provided information to people via their website and practice brochure.

People were complimentary about the dental care and treatment they received and one person told us: “This is a professionally, friendly run dental clinic, and the staff have high standards when dealing with me." Another person said: "I stayed with the practice when the last dentist retired, I am happy with my decision because I am well looked after."