We carried out this announced inspection on 22 November 2017 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We planned the inspection to check whether the registered provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it caring?

• Is it responsive to people’s needs?

• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

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

NG Stribling & Associates known locally as The Dental Centre Ferndown is in Ferndown and provides private treatment to patients of all ages.

There is access for people who use wheelchairs through a stair lift. Car parking spaces, including for patients with disabled badges, are available near the practice.

The dental team includes eight dentists, one dentist/practice manager, four dental nurses, one head dental nurse, three dental hygienists and two receptionists. The practice has six treatment rooms.

The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.

On the day of inspection we collected 14 CQC comment cards filled in by patients and spoke with four other patients. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.

During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, one dental nurse, one head dental nurse, one dental hygienist and one receptionist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday 8am to Thursday 5pm and Friday 8am to 4pm. Outside of these times are by prior appointment.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was clean and well maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk.
• The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• The practice had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs.
• The practice had effective leadership. Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Review its responsibilities as regards the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 and ensure all documentation is up to date and staff understand how to minimise risks associated with the use and handling of these substances.

• Review protocols regarding the prescribing and recording of antibiotic medicines taking into account guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice in respect of antimicrobial prescribing.
• Review the current staffing arrangements to ensure all dental care professionals are adequately supported by a trained member of the dental team when treating patients in a dental setting taking into account the guidance issued by the General Dental Council.

The practice had four dentists, an implantologist and six dental nurses who provided dental treatment. We spoke with seven people to gain their views and experience of the service and treatment received from their dentist. All people were complimentary about the service received. They commented, "I have a dislike of dentists but feel I can come back here, it was really good seeing him." Another person said, "It was absolutely brilliant. They put you at ease and explain everything."

People told us they could express their views and make informed decisions about their treatment. We looked at four individual dental treatment records. Three out of four records showed the reasons why treatment was recommended, people's agreement of treatment choices and any oral health advice given.

There were procedures in place to clean and sterilise dental equipment to minimise the risk of people getting an infection. Staff had received regular training to prevent the risk of infection. Staff spoken with were aware of their responsibilities in reducing the risk of infection within the practice.

Staff felt well supported in their personal development and training by the provider and practice manager. One staff member said, "Brilliant, I love working here, it's a really good place to work."