We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 20 February 2017 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

Aldridge Road Dental Practice has two dentists who work part time, two full time qualified dental nurses who are registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) a part time registered manager, practice and assistant manager and a full time receptionist. The practice’s opening hours are 9am to 5.30pm on Monday to Thursday and 9am to 5pm on Friday. The practice is also open from 9am to 1pm on alternate Saturdays each month.

The practice manager and assistant practice manager were present during this inspection.

Before the inspection we sent Care Quality Commission comments cards to the practice for patients to complete to tell us about their experience of the practice. We received feedback from 30 patients who provided an overwhelmingly positive view of the services the practice provides. All of the patients commented that the quality of care was very good; dentists gave detailed oral health advice and provided a professional, friendly service.

Our key findings were

• Systems were in place for the recording and learning from significant events and accidents.
• Staff had received training regarding safeguarding vulnerable adults and child protection and were aware of the procedure for reporting any suspicions of abuse.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect.
• The practice was visibly clean and well maintained.
• Infection control procedures were in place with infection prevention and control audits being undertaken on a six monthly basis. Staff had access to personal protective equipment such as gloves and aprons.
• Treatment was well planned and provided in line with current guidelines.
• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties, and equipment was well maintained.
• The provider had emergency medicines in line with the British National Formulary (BNF) guidance for medical emergencies in dental practice.
• Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.
• Complaints were responded to in an efficient and responsive manor.
• The practice was well-led and staff felt involved and worked as a team.
• Governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the practice and there was a structured plan in place to audit quality and safety beyond the mandatory audits for infection control and radiography.

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

• Review the practice’s infection control procedures and protocols giving due regard to guidelines issued by the Department of Health - Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices and The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.

People attending Aldridge Road Dental practice were happy with the service they received.We spoke with two people following our visit on the phone and one person during our visit. 27 surveys were returned to us. We asked people to complete these before our visit. We asked them to tell us about their treatment they received, and their views about the service provided.

The surveys returned and the people we spoke were highly complimentary about the dentist and staff, environment and treatment.

Comments included:

"The best thing about the practice is the care''.

"Calming and friendly''.

"Friendly, spotless, professional and informative''.

"Thoughtful, kind, understanding, friendly and pleasant'.