We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 26 August 2015 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 practice provides primary care dental services under the NHS to approximately 4,500 patients.

The practice is open: Monday to Thursday 8.30am to12.30pn and 1.30pm to 5.30pm and Friday 8.30am to 2pm.

There are three dentists, four dental nurses and a receptionist at the practice.

The principal dentist/owner is the registered provider for the practice. 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 also received 13 Care Quality Comment cards. All the comments were positive about the staff and the services provided.

Our key findings were:

• There was an effective complaints system. Staff recorded complaints and cascaded learning to staff.
• Staff had received safeguarding training, knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report it.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to manage medical emergencies.
• Infection control procedures were in accordance with the published guidelines.
• Patient care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines, best practice and current regulations.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs.
• The practice was well-led and staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The governance systems were effective.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.

We spoke with three patients who told us the staff were friendly and polite. We also looked at a patient survey carried out 2011.

From the survey people said that they were happy with the service provided. They felt their dignity was maintained and their privacy protected. The dentist said this would be repeated on an annual basis.