We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 15 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

Hadleigh Road Family Dental Practice is a dental practice situated in a converted house in Leigh on Sea, Essex.

The practice has two treatment rooms, a combined waiting and reception area. Decontamination takes place in a dedicated decontamination room (Decontamination is the process by which dirty and contaminated instruments are bought from the treatment room, washed, inspected, sterilised and sealed in pouches ready for use again).

The practice has a principal dentist and one qualified dental nurse and two receptionists. Two part time hygienists are also employed at the practice.

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual. 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 offers general and cosmetic NHS dental treatments to adults and children.

The practice is open and offers appointments between 8.30 am and 12 noon and between 2.30 pm 4.30 pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays and between 8.30 am and 12 noon on Wednesdays. Evening appointments were available up to 6.30 pm on Tuesdays.

We left comment cards at the practice for the two weeks preceding the inspection. 46 people provided feedback about the service in this way. All of the comments spoke highly of the dental care and treatment that they received and the professional, attentive and caring attitude of the dentist and the dental nurse.

Our key findings were:

• There was an effective complaints system and learning from complaints was used to make improvements where this was required.
• The practice was visibly clean and clutter free and Infection control practices met national guidance.
• There were a number of systems in place to help keep people safe, including safeguarding vulnerable children and adults.
• Dental care and treatments were carried out in line with current legislation and guidelines.
• Patients reported that they were treated with respect and dignity, professional care and compassion and staff were understanding, polite and helpful.
• Patients were involved in making decisions about their care and treatments.
• The practice provided a flexible appointments system and could normally arrange a routine appointment within a few days or emergency appointments mostly on the same day.
• The practice kept medicines and equipment for use in medical emergencies. These were in line with national guidance and regularly checked so that they were fit for use.
• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties, and equipment was well maintained.
• Governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the service.
• Patient’s views were sought and used to make improvements to the service where these were identified.

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

• Review the procedures for carrying out root canal treatments taking into account the use of a rubber dam in line with guidance issued by the British Endodontic Society.
• Review the arrangements for monitoring the quality of records and implement a system for regular audits in respect of patient records in line with the Royal College of Surgeons - Faculty of General Dental Practice (FGDP) guidance.
• Review the arrangements checking emergency medicines and for storing temperature sensitive medicines and keep records of fridge temperatures to ensure that these are appropriate.
• Review the arrangements in place for monitoring and mitigating the risks associated with legionella and keep records of hot and cold water temperatures.
• Review the arrangements for reporting on X-rays and record the justification for X-rays in accordance with the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) guidelines.
• Review the arrangements for supporting patients who have a physical disability or impairment and consider making any reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010.

We spoke with three people who use the service. All said that they had been fully informed about the treatment options and had felt involved in the decision-making process. They said they had been made to feel comfortable and that the dentist had answered their questions fully. They were pleased with the outcomes of their treatments. They said they were so happy with the service provided that they would not wish to go to any other dentist.