We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 24 March 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

The Derby Road Dental Centre is part of the Cadmus Dental Care group of dental practices. The practice is located over two floors of premises close to the centre of Nottingham. The practice was first registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in August 2013. The practice provides regulated dental services to both adults and children. The practice provides mostly NHS dental treatment (98%). Services provided include general dentistry, dental hygiene, crowns and bridges and root canal treatment.

The practice’s opening hours are: Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 5pm, and Saturday: 9am to 1pm.

Access for urgent treatment outside of opening hours is by telephoning the practice and following the instructions on the answerphone message or by telephoning the 111 NHS service.

The practice manager is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). 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.

The practice has five dentists; one dental hygienist; four qualified dental nurses; one receptionist; and a practice manager. Dental nurses also worked on reception.

We received positive feedback from 24 patients about the services provided. This was through CQC comment cards left at the practice prior to the inspection and by speaking with patients in the practice.

Our key findings were:

• Patients spoke positively about their experiences at the practice. Patients said they were treated with dignity and respect.
• Dentists identified the treatment options, and discussed these with patients.
• Patients’ confidentiality was maintained.
• Patients were given access to information about the different treatments and services at the practice.
• There were systems in place to record accidents, significant events and complaints, and where learning points were identified these were shared with staff.
• The records showed that apologies had been given for any concerns or upset that patients had experienced at the practice.
• The practice followed the relevant guidance from the Department of Health's: ‘Health Technical Memorandum 01-05 (HTM 01-05) for infection control with regard to cleaning and sterilizing dental instruments.
• There was a whistleblowing policy accessible to all staff, who were aware of procedures to follow if they had any concerns.
• Records showed there were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• The practice had the necessary equipment for staff to deal with medical emergencies, and staff had been trained how to use that equipment. This included an automated external defibrillator, oxygen and emergency medicines.

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

Review the consent policy in respect of Gillick competency and provide all staff with refresher training to ensure their level of understanding.