Archived: Longborough Dental Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 3 May 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

Longborough Dental Practice is located in Dorking, Surrey. There is a car park behind the practice for staff and patients with mobility problems. The practice has five treatment rooms in total; two on the ground level and three on the first floor. There are two waiting lounges for patients; one on the ground floor and the other on the second floor. The toilet facilities are on both levels and the ground level accommodates for patients using a wheelchair. There is an X-ray room that is located off the second floor lounge area.

The practice provides NHS and private dental services to adults and children. This includes a range of dental services including routine examinations and treatment, veneers and crowns and bridges. Two visiting dentists provide periodontal and endodontic services. The periodontist is registered on the specialist list.

The practice staffing consisted of two principal dentists (who own and manage the practice), two general dentists, two visiting dentists, three dental hygienists, six dental nurses (including one trainee) a practice manager and four admin staff. The dental team worked various part-time hours depending on the need.

The practice opening hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm and Tuesday 9.00am to 8.00pm.

One of the principal dentists is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual. 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 inspection took place over one day and was carried out by a CQC inspector and a dental specialist advisor.

Before the inspection we sent Care Quality Commission (CQC) comment cards to the practice for patients to complete to tell us about their experience of the practice. Forty-seven people provided feedback about the service. Patients were very positive about the care they received from the practice. They were complimentary about the friendly and caring attitude of the dental staff and the dental treatment they received.

Our key findings were:

• 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).

• There were effective systems in place to reduce and minimise the risk and spread of infection.
• The practice had effective safeguarding processes in place and staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children living in vulnerable circumstances.
• Staff knew how to report incidents and keep records and the practice would use this information for shared learning.
• Equipment, such as the air compressor, autoclave (steriliser), fire extinguishers, and X-ray equipment had all been checked for effectiveness and had been regularly serviced.

• Patients indicated that they felt they were listened to and that they received good care from a helpful and caring practice team.
• The practice ensured staff maintained the necessary skills and competence to support the needs of patients.
• The practice had implemented clear procedures for managing comments, concerns or complaints.
• The provider had a clear vision for the practice and staff told us they were well supported by the management team.
• Governance arrangements and audits were effective in improving the quality and safety of the services.