We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 17 November 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.

Heathfield Dental Care is a general dental practice in Heathfield, East Sussex, offering NHS and private dental treatment to adults and children.

The practice is situated in the centre of Heathfield. The practice has three dental treatment rooms, a decontamination room for the cleaning, sterilising and packing of dental instruments and a waiting/ reception area. The treatment rooms are located on the ground floor and first floor. The practice has full disabled access and a patient toilet on the ground floor.

The practice is open Monday 8.15am to 5.15pm, Tuesday 8.45am to 6.15pm, Wednesday 8.45am to 6.15pm, Thursday 8.15am to 5.15pm and Friday 7.45am to 5.15pm. The practice does not offer Saturday appointments at present.

Heathfield Dental Care has two dentists, two dental nurses, one hygienist and one receptionist. The clinical team are supported by a practice manager.

Before the inspection we sent CQC comments cards to the practice for patients to complete to tell us about their experience of the practice. We collected 37 completed cards. All of the comments cards provided a positive view of the service the practice provides. Patients commented that staff were professional, helpful and attentive. Patients wrote that they were treated with kindness and respect. Many patients commented that the practice was clean and hygienic. We also spoke with one patient during our inspection who was highly satisfied with the treatment and support they received at the practice.

Our key findings were:

• There were systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. The practice was visibly clean and well maintained.
• There were systems in place to check all equipment had been serviced regularly, including the steriliser, fire extinguishers, oxygen cylinder and the X-ray equipment.
• The practice had effective systems in place to gain the comments and views of people who used the service.
• Patients were highly satisfied with the treatment they received and were complimentary about staff at the practice.
• Staff had received training appropriate to their roles and were supported in their continued professional development (CPD).
• We observed that staff showed a caring and attentive approach towards patients. All patients were recognised and greeted warmly on arrival at reception.
• The practice had effective safeguarding processes in place and staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• Staff were proud of the practice and their team. Staff felt well supported and were committed to providing a quality service to their patients.

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

• Maintain accurate, complete and contemporaneous records of the care and treatment provided to patients receiving a scale and polish.