3A Dental Care

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 15 February 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

The provider offers private dental care services to patients of all ages and NHS for children aged up to 18 years. The services provided include preventative advice and treatment and routine and restorative dental care. The practice has two dentists, one dental hygienist and three qualified dental nurses.

The practice has a treatment room, reception area, waiting room and decontamination room. The building is on one floor, with access throughout the ground floor for patients with limited mobility. The practice is open on Monday to Friday from 8:30am until 5.20pm with extended opening hours on Monday and Thursday until 6:40pm and Saturday 8:50 to 12:40pm. The practice closes for lunch from 12:40 until 1:40pm daily.

We viewed 29 CQC comment cards that had been left for patients to complete, prior to our visit, about the services provided. In addition we spoke with two patients on the day of our inspection. Feedback from patients was positive about the care they received from the practice. They commented staff were caring and respectful and that they had confidence in the dental services provided. Patients told us they had no difficulties in arranging a convenient appointment and that staff put them at ease and listened to their concerns.

Our key findings were:

• The practice had systems to assess and manage risks to patients, including infection prevention and control, health and safety and the management of medical emergencies.
• The practice carried out oral health assessments and planned treatment in line with current best practice guidance, for example from the Faculty of General Dental Practice (FGDP). Patient dental care records were detailed and showed on-going monitoring of patients’ oral health.
• Patients commented they felt involved in their treatment and that it was fully explained to them.
• Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed. There were clear instructions for patients regarding out of hours care.
• The dental practice had effective clinical governance and risk management structures in place. There were systems to monitor and continually improve the quality of the service; including through a programme of clinical and non-clinical audits.
• Staff had received safeguarding training and knew the processes to follow to raise any concerns.
• Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available and accessible.
• There were clearly defined leadership roles within the practice and staff told us they felt well supported and comfortable to raise concerns or make suggestions.