We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 09 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

Norfolk Square Dental Practice is located in Brighton and offers general dentistry services to NHS Patients and private treatment options are also available. The practice has two dentists, a hygienist, three dental nurses, one of which is qualified and two student nurses who all share receptionist duties.

The practice has two treatment rooms, all on the first floor. A reception and waiting area, decontamination room and staff facilities.

The practice is open: Monday – Friday 8.45am to 6pm.

The principal dentist 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.

On the day of inspection we received 32 CQC comment cards providing feedback and spoke to eight patients. The patients who provided feedback were very positive about the care and attention to treatment they received at the practice. They told us they were involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be excellent, great at responding to pain requirements, helpful and they were treated with dignity and respect in a clean and tidy environment.

Our key findings were:

• Patient care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines, best practice and current regulations.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were consistently involved in making decisions about it.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs. Appointments were easy to book and emergency slots were available each day for patients requiring urgent treatment.
• There was a complaints system. Staff recorded complaints and cascaded learning to staff.
• The governance systems were effective.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.
• We found that the practice ethos was to provide patient centred dental care in a relaxed and friendly environment.
• Strong and effective leadership was provided by the principal dentist.
• Infection control procedures were robust and carried out in accordance with current guidance
• The practice was clean and very well maintained.