We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 20 January 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 practice offers primarily NHS dental orthodontic care to children and private funded care to adults and children.

The practice is open Monday from 9am to 5.30pm and Wednesday 9am until 6.30pm. On Tuesday and Thursday the practice is open from 9am to 4pm. The practice closes between 12.45pm to 1.30pm for lunch. No service is provided on a Friday.

There is one orthodontist, three dental nurses, one oral health educator/receptionist, a further receptionist and a practice manager. The practice was taken over by the present provider in April 2015. Since taking over the practice has undergone a total refurbishment with some outstanding work remaining. We saw plans for the next phase of the refurbishment which included the main surgery and the reception area.

The principal orthodontist is the registered person for the practice. 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.

We received feedback from patients about the service via 20 Care Quality Commission (CQC) comment cards. All the comments were positive about the staff and the services provided. Comments included: staff are helpful, understanding and provide a great service.

Our key findings were:

• There was an effective complaints system.
• Staff had received safeguarding training, knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report it.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to manage medical emergencies.
• Infection control procedures were in line with the published guidelines.
• Patient care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines and current regulations.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• Patients could access routine treatment and urgent care when required.
• The practice was well-led, staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The governance systems were effective.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.