We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 07 July 2016 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

Cornerways Dental Practice is located in the small village of Angmering Littlehampton in West Sussex and provides private dental services.

The practice is open Monday to Wednesday from 9am to 5.30pm. Thursday 9am to 8pm. Friday 8.30am to 1pm and Saturday by appointment only. The practice facilities include two consultation rooms, reception and waiting area, and a decontamination room.

We received feedback from 96 patients. Patient feedback was very positive about the service. Patients told us that staff were professional and caring and treated them with respect. They described the service as very good and providing an excellent standard of care. Information was given to patients appropriately and that staff were helpful.

The provider 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 practice investigated significant and safety events and cascaded learning to staff.
• There were systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. Dental instruments were cleaned and sterilised in line with current guidance.
• There were systems in place to ensure that all equipment, including the suction compressor, autoclave, fire extinguishers, oxygen cylinder and the X-ray equipment were working appropriately.
• Staff had received safeguarding children and adults training and knew the processes to follow to raise any concerns. The practice had whistleblowing policies and procedure and staff were aware of these and their responsibilities to report any concerns.
• Patients’ care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with current legislation and evidence based guidelines such as that from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
• The practice ensured staff were trained and that they maintained the necessary skills and competence to support the needs of patients.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to handle medical emergencies, and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.
• The practice had a procedure for handling and responding to complaints, which were displayed and available to patients.
• The practice was well-led and staff felt valued, involved and worked as a team. Staff meetings were routinely held to help share information and learning.
• Governance systems were effective and there were a range of policies and procedures in place which underpinned the management of the practice. Clinical and non-clinical audits were carried out to monitor the quality of services.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided and acted on this to improve its services.

During our inspection we spoke with three members of staff, looked at care records for six patients, spoke with five patients and observed one consultation.

We saw that patient’s views were taken into account in the way the service was provided and delivered. For example one patient told us that “I have had wonderful treatment.” They also said “It is an extremely friendly practice you are made to feel part of the family.”

We looked at six care records and saw that the records included details of each patient’s medical history. These were updated regularly and signed by the patients. Staff told us that the dentists would always verbally check the medical history with the patient at each treatment visit. One patient said that “They (the staff) care about my oral health.”

We saw that the premises were visibly clean and tidy. Staff we spoke with spoke knowledgeably about decontamination and sterilisation processes they carried out. One patient we spoke with said “The practice is clean and tidy and I have never found it otherwise.”

We saw documentation which confirmed that all relevant staff employed by the service held current registrations with the General Dental Council (GDC). We also saw documents which confirmed that the service held checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for all staff. This meant that the service had taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening.