People who used the service told us they had full confidence in the dentist. They also told us they discussed their treatment with the dentist and understood they could refuse treatment. One person said “I feel really comfortable coming here and you can always get an appointment.” Another person told us that the dentists were really good with their children and always put them at ease.

People told us the premises were always clean and tidy.

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 13 July 2015 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

Oasis Dental Practice is situated close to the centre of Brigg. It is a general dental practice providing both NHS treatment and private treatment. The practice treats both adults and children.

The practice is all on one level and consists of the reception area and waiting area. There are five treatment rooms and a separate decontamination room. Patient facilities were located next to the waiting area. There was also a general office sited behind the reception area.

The practice provides dental service to approximately 12,000 patients who were a mix of adults and children. 98% of patients are NHS patients with 4% being private. The practice is part of a national group. The staff structure is six dentists, one of whom is a locum and also an implant dentist, nine dental nurses and two apprentice dental nurses, a decontamination nurse, two hygienist/therapists, two receptionists, a practice co-ordinator and a practice manager. The practice manager 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.

We spoke with four patients on the day of our inspection and reviewed 19 completed comment cards. All were very positive about the care and treatment they had received. Patients felt that their treatment had been explained in a way that they could easily understand. Common themes were that patients received excellent care and treatment that was provided in a caring and compassionate way.

Our key finding were:

We found that this practice was providing safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

There were systems in place to check all equipment had been serviced regularly, including the suction compressor, fire extinguisher, oxygen cylinder and X-ray equipment.

The practice had systems in place for the management of infection control, clinical waste/segregation and disposal, management of medical emergencies and dental radiography.

Staff had received training in safeguarding and whistleblowing and knew the signs of abuse and who to report them to.

We found equipment used in the practice was well maintained and in line with current guidelines. There were systems in place for identifying, investigation and learning from incidents relating to the safety of patients and members of staff.

The staffing levels were safe for the provision of care and treatment.

At our visit we observed staff were kind, caring, competent and put patients at their ease.

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulation. Patients told us (through comment cards and direct discussion) they had a very positive of experiences of dental and treatment provided at the practice. Patients felt they were listened to, treated with respect and were in involved in discussion about their treatment options, which included risks, benefits and related costs. Patients with urgent dental needs or in pain were responded to in a timely manner, on the same day. We observed the staff to be caring, compassionate and committed to their work. Staff spoke with enthusiasm about their work and were proud of what they did.

We found this practice was providing safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned in line with best practice guidance such as from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
• There was a system in place for when mistakes might be made, patients would receive an apology and would be informed of any actions taken following an investigation.
• 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.
• Staff felt supported by the leadership team.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.
• The practice maintained appropriate dental care records and patients’ clinical details were updated appropriately.

However, there were areas where the provider could make improvements, the provider should

• Review governance arrangements including the effective use of risk assessments, audits, such as those for infection control.
• Review the suitability of all areas of the premises and the fixtures and fittings in the treatment room.
• Ensure medicines are in date and follow national guidance.
• Ensure the infection control systems are fully in place.
• Ensure there is evidence that all employment checks have been undertaken.

You can see full details of the regulations not being met at the end of this report.