We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 7 March 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 practice provides a range of NHS and private dental services for patients in and around the Chorley area.

There is a reception area waiting room, two treatment rooms, one on the ground floor and one on the first floor. There is a separate decontamination room on the ground floor.

The practice had two dentists and dental hygienist. They were supported by two dental nurses and a receptionist.

The practice is open Monday and Friday 08:30 am to 4.30pm, Tuesday to Thursday 8:30am to 5pm and Saturday 9 to 1pm.

The principal dentist 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.

Before the inspection we sent Care Quality Commission comment cards to the practice for patients to complete to tell us about their experience of the practice. We received feedback from ten patients who all gave positive comments about the care and treatment they received at the practice.

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 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.
• Premises were well maintained and a tour of the building confirmed that good cleaning and infection control systems were in place.
• There was appropriate equipment and access to emergency drugs to enable the practice to respond to medical emergencies. This included an automated external defibrillator. Staff had been trained to manage medical emergencies.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
• Information about how to complain was available and easy to understand

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

• Review the electrical safety within the building to include a five yearly safety check of the electrical systems.
• Review the storage of medicines requiring refrigeration to ensure they are stored in line with the manufacturer’s guidance and the fridge temperature is monitored and recorded.

People told us they were very satisfied with the care and treatment provided at Adlington Dental practice. They were given good advice about their treatment requirements and discussed their options before any treatment was provided. People said their privacy and dignity was always respected whilst attending the dental surgery and they were seen in private. They considered their dentist listened to them. “She is exceptionally good at explaining things. I’m told what is happening and why and what to expect before she does anything. That’s good for me as I am nervous so there are no hidden surprises”. “Naturally they are very busy but they always have time to talk to you about the procedures you are having. It really helps”. “I think my dentist is marvellous”. The appointment system was good with time slots arranged for emergency treatment.

Suitable arrangements were in place to protect people from abuse and the risk of abuse. All staff employed were subjected to character checks and their registration with the General Dental Council (GDC) verified.

People were also protected from the risk of infection and they were treated in a clean hygienic environment. People were able to give their views about the service and there were systems in place to make sure people were kept safe and free from any risk associated with the practice. People found staff and dentists to be polite and courteous when they attended and they were treated with respect.