We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 16 July 2015 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

Broadway Dental Studio provides NHS and private, general dental services to patients of all ages. The team at the practice is led by a principal dentist who also leads on administration and clinical governance systems. There are two salaried dentists, a dental nurse and three trainee dental nurses. The nurses also undertake reception duties.

The practice is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm (Thursdays until 8pm) and is closed for lunch 1-2pm.

There are two treatment rooms, a reception area, separate patient waiting area and a patient toilet. The two treatment rooms have designated areas where reusable dental instruments are washed and sterilised (a process known as decontamination).The practice is located in a converted first floor flat. A lift was not available but the practice has an arrangement in place whereby patients with restricted mobility are referred to a dental practice in the locality which offers ground floor access.

We received 18 completed Care Quality Commission comment cards and spoke with 3 patients during our inspection. They all commented positively about the care and treatment they had received and the friendly, polite and professional staff. A number of patients commented on the discussions they had with the dentist about their care and treatment; and about how they felt listened to and were made to feel relaxed.

Our key findings were:

• The practice provided a clean, well equipped environment.
• Where mistakes had been made patients were notified about the outcome of any investigation and given a suitable apology.
• There was promotion of patient education to ensure good oral health.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.
• The practice had an accessible and visible leadership team. Staff told us they felt supported by the principal dentist.
• Governance systems were effective and there were a range of clinical and non-clinical audits to monitor the quality of services.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.
• The practice had a systematic programme in place for auditing quality and safety including mandatory audits for infection control and radiography; but also additional audits for clinical note taking and health and safety.

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

• Review the practice’s sharps procedures giving due regard to the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013
• Undertake six monthly infection prevention and control audits in accordance with Department of Health guidelines as opposed to the current annual auditing arrangements.