We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 02 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

Bispham Dental Practice provides private dental treatment to patients of all ages and also has a small NHS contract. The services include preventative advice and treatment and routine restorative dental care. Intravenous sedation is also offered to very nervous patients.

The staff consists of three dentists, a dental hygienist, two qualified dental nurses, one trainee dental nurse, three receptionists and a practice manager who also works as a dental nurse.

The practice is in Bispham, the north of Blackpool and is based in a converted building and is undergoing refurbishment. The reception area for patients has been completely refurbished and the next step of the plan is to refurbish the dental surgeries. The practice has five surgeries; two of these are on the ground floor, a decontamination room, a waiting room and a reception area. Access to the building is not restricted.

The opening hours are Monday –Thursday 9.00am – 5.00pm and Friday 9:00am – 4.00pm.

One of the principle dentists is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

Our key findings were:

• The premises were visibly clean and tidy.
• The practice had procedures in place to record and analyse significant events and incidents.
• Staff had received safeguarding training, and knew the process to follow to raise concerns.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, skilled staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies, and emergency medicines and equipment were available.
• Patients’ needs were assessed, and care and treatment were delivered, in accordance with current legislation, standards, and guidance.
• Patients received information about their care, proposed treatment, costs, benefits, and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Staff were supported to deliver effective care, and opportunities for training and learning were available.
• Patients were treated with kindness, dignity, and respect.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients, and emergency appointments were available.
• Services were planned and delivered to meet the needs of patients, and reasonable adjustments were made to enable patients to receive their care and treatment.
• The practice gathered the views of patients and took their views into account.
• Staff were supervised, felt involved, and worked as a team.
• Governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the practice, and for the delivery of high quality person centred care.

We spoke with patients when we inspected who all commented they were very happy with the service. They all said they saw the dentist regularly and felt the care they received was excellent.

They confirmed that the dentist always explained what they were doing, what they had found during examination and what the treatment options were. They confirmed they had received information to enable them to decide upon treatment options.

Patients confirmed that the practice appeared very clean and staff always wore protective equipment when treating them. Feedback received from patients during the inspection and review of patient satisfaction surveys confirm that patients are happy with the service they receive.