We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 22 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

Bridge Dental Practice is located in Bridge, Canterbury, Kent and offers NHS and private general dentistry services to patients. The practice has four dentists and one hygienist who are supported by a practice manager, three qualified dental nurses and one student nurse. The practice has two treatment rooms, one of which is on the ground floor, a reception, two waiting areas, and staff facilities.

The practice is open: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm, Tuesday and Thursday 8.30am to 7pm and Saturdays 9am to 1pm.

The principal dentist 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.

On the day of inspection we received 38 CQC comment cards providing feedback and spoke to three patients following our inspection. The patients who provided feedback were very positive about the care and attention to treatment they received at the practice. They told us they were involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be excellent, great at responding to pain requirements, helpful and they were treated with dignity and respect in a clean and tidy environment.

Our key findings were:

• Patient care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines, best practice and current regulations.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were consistently involved in making decisions about it.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs. Appointments were easy to book and emergency slots were available each day for patients requiring urgent treatment.
• There was a complaints system. Staff recorded complaints and cascaded learning to staff.
• The governance systems were effective.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.
• We found that the practice ethos was to provide patient centred dental care in a relaxed and friendly environment.
• Strong and effective leadership was provided by the principal dentist.
• Infection control procedures were robust and carried out in accordance with current guidance
• The practice was clean and very well maintained.