We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 2 February 2017 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

Tooth Doctor located in Basildon provides private dental treatment to patients of all ages. The practice also provides conscious sedation and minor oral surgery services. [Conscious sedation is a procedure using a combination of medicines to help a patient to relax (a sedative) and to block pain (an anaesthetic) during a medical or dental procedure. The patient remains awake during the whole procedure].

Practice staffing consists of a principal and principal dentist, three associate dentists, one implantologist, one hygienist, two trainee dental nurses, receptionist and a registered manager/dental nurse.

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.

The practice is open Monday to Thursday 9am to 8pm, Friday 9am to 5.30 and Saturday 9am to 5pm.

The practice facilities include two treatment rooms, a recovery room for patients, a decontamination room, reception/waiting area, and an X-ray room

25 patients provided feedback about the service. Patients who completed comment cards were very positive about the care they received from the service. Patients told us that they were happy with the treatment and advice they had received.

Our key findings were:

• Staff had received safeguarding children and adults training and knew the processes to follow to raise any concerns. The practice had whistleblowing policies and procedure and staff were aware of these and their responsibilities to report any concerns.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• There were systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. Dental instruments were cleaned and sterilised in line with current guidance.
• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned in line with current guidance such as from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
• Equipment, such as the autoclaves, fire extinguishers, and X-ray equipment had all been checked for effectiveness and had been regularly serviced.
• Conscious sedation was delivered safely in accordance with current guidelines.
• The practice had a procedure for handling and responding to complaints, which were displayed and available to patients.
• Staff had been trained to handle medical emergencies, and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• The practice sought feedback from patients and staff about the services they provided and acted on this to improve its services.
• Governance systems were effective and there were a range of policies and procedures in place which underpinned the management of the practice. Clinical audits were carried out to monitor the quality of services.