We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 25 August 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

261 Dental Care is a dental practice providing general dental services on a NHS and private basis. The service is provided by five dentists (one of whom is currently on maternity leave) and two hygienists. They are supported by five dental nurses (one of whom is a trainee), a practice manager and a receptionist. All of the dental nurses also carry out reception duties. A sixth dentist visits the practice on a monthly basis to provide orthodontic treatment. The practice had also recruited an independent practice advisor who visited the practice on an ad hoc basis to assist with its management.

The practice is located on a main road near local amenities and bus routes. There is wheelchair access to the practice and car parking facilities. The premises consist of a waiting room, a reception area, two offices, kitchen, staff room and one treatment room on the ground floor. The first floor comprises of a decontamination room, a storage room, three treatment rooms and toilet facilities. There is also an area for taking X-rays. The practice opened at 8:15am on Monday to Friday and closing times varied between 4:15pm and 7:30pm. The practice also opened on alternate Saturdays between 8:15am and 12:15pm.

The provider is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual. 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.

Thirty-one patients provided feedback about the practice. We looked at comment cards patients had completed prior to the inspection and we also spoke with three patients. The information from patients was generally complimentary. Patients were positive about their experience and they commented that staff were friendly, professional and welcoming.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was organised and appeared clean and tidy on the day of our visit. Many patients also commented that this was their experience.
• Patients told us they found the staff polite and friendly. Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed.
• An infection prevention and control policy was in place. We saw the decontamination procedures followed recommended guidance.
• The practice had systems to assess and manage risks to patients, including health and safety, safeguarding, safe staff recruitment and the management of medical emergencies.
• Dental professionals provided treatment in accordance with current professional guidelines.
• Staff received training appropriate to their roles.
• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties, and equipment was well maintained.
• The practice had an effective complaints system in place and there was an openness and transparency in how these were dealt with.
• Staff told us they felt well supported and comfortable to raise concerns or make suggestions.
• Practice meetings were used for shared learning.
• The practice demonstrated that they regularly undertook audits in infection control, radiography and dental care record keeping.

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

• Review the flooring in one treatment room and consider replacing it with a smooth impervious covering with coving as part of their future refurbishment programme. The practice should also arrange to promptly replace a torn foot cover on one dental chair.
• Review the X-ray equipment and consider fitting a rectangular collimator to any new X-ray equipment that is installed in future. This was already present on some of the equipment at the practice but not all due to the old design of some of the equipment.
• Review all fire exits and ensure that clear signage is displayed.