Bupa Dental Care Tutbury

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 10 September 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

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 10 September 2015 at Tutbury Dental Practice.

Dental services have been provided from the location since 1971, although in recent years the practice has evolved from a single handed practice to one with six dental treatment rooms offering a wide range of general and cosmetic dentistry.

The practice provides dental care and treatment to registered patients Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm. At the time of the inspection the practice had around 5,000 patients as part of a private dental treatment plan and a smaller proportion of patients who were NHS funded. The practice has seven dentists working a variety of clinical sessions over a week. A dental therapist, two dental hygienists and seven qualified dental nurses complete the clinical team. The practice manager is a qualified dental nurse and works with the principal dentist and other staff in leadership roles to oversee the day to day running of the practice. There are also two trainee dental nurses employed, both undergoing recognised training leading to professional registration. A treatment coordinator and cleaner assist in maintaining the day to day running of the practice.

Eighteen patients provided feedback about the practice. All the feedback we received from patients was positive, including access to appointments, their care and treatment and all made complimentary remarks about their overall experience of the practice.

Our key findings were:

• Patients told us that their care and treatment was explained and they felt involved in decisions about their treatment.
• The appointments system met the needs of patients.
• The individual needs of patients groups had been considered when planning services. For example, the practice had regular days for children’s appointments. Staff provided fun activities and dressed down to provide a positive experience.
• The practice had effective infection control procedures.
• Patients received clear explanations and written information about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about them.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.

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

• Adapt the practice significant event policy to include the nature of incidents that should be reported and formalise the sharing of learning from them.
• Establish if all staff have undertaken training in safeguarding children as suggested in the intercollegiate guidance by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health on safeguarding children and young people (March 2014).