We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 9 March 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

Brief overview: The practice provides routine and complex dental care under mainly private contract and NHS regulations. The practice has surgeries on all floors of a converted domestic property. Established over 90 years ago, they are situated in residential Redland Road, Bristol with metered roadside parking. The practice had been refurbished during the last five years and all treatment rooms have modern facilities in line with the practice’s ‘Quality Care Initiative’. There are nine treatment rooms, over three floors.

The practice premises are accessible to wheelchair users on the basement level.

Patients are registered with one of eight dentists (male and female) and will see the same dentist on each visit, except in emergency or in the case of referral. NHS treatment is available for children and all 18 year olds who were in full-time education. NHS patients are also seen for those under twenty five and with an HC2 certificate (those people eligible to receive financial help with health costs).

All fillings were covered by a two year free replacement warranty with five year warranties available for crowns and bridges.

Services offered:

• Preventive advice and treatment
• Routine and restorative dental care
• Root canal treatment
• Dental hygiene
• Surgical treatment
• Crown and bridgework
• Restorative dentistry
• Implants
• NHS (children)
• Private
• Cosmetic dentistry: Tooth straightening, veneers and dental implants are all available on the premises.
• Periodontist for diagnosis and treatment of gum disease.
• Oral surgeon ­for assessment and extraction of wisdom teeth and broken roots.
• Implantologist ­for the replacement of missing teeth with dental implants.
• Orthodontic screening ­for teeth straightening and braces.

Opening Hours : Monday and Tuesday 8am-7pm,Wednesday and Thursday 8am-5pm, Friday 8am- 2pm.

Out Of Hours - patients called 111 or the Redland Road Dental Practice forms part of a group emergency service. This out of hours service is for registered patients of The Redland Road Dental Practice, and two other practices.

The practice manager is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

We reviewed 14 CQC comment cards that had been completed by patients. The comments made praised the treatment provided and the staff team. Patients said they received professional, caring and compassionate care in a very friendly and clean environment. They used comments such as first class service and excellent to describe their experience of the practice.

Our key findings were:

• There were effective systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection.
• All treatment rooms were well organised and equipped, with good light and ventilation.
• There were systems in place to check all equipment had been serviced regularly, including the air compressor, autoclave, fire extinguishers, oxygen cylinder and the X-ray equipment.
• Dentists regularly assessed patients according to appropriate guidance and standards including assessment of gum health and taking X-rays at appropriate intervals.
• Staff maintained the necessary skills and competence to support the needs of patients.
• Staff were up to date with current guidelines and the practice was led by a proactive management team.
• Staff were kind, caring, competent and put patients at their ease.

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

• Review the practice’s protocols for medicines management and ensure all medicines are auditable and keep records of stock
• Review the security of prescription pads in the practice and ensure there are systems in place to monitor and track their use.
• Review the practice’s audit protocol for the dental care records to help improve the quality of service.
• Review and risk assess the windows for opening restriction and overall safety.