We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 15 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.

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

The practice is situated in Preston Park on the outskirts of Brighton. The practice has three treatment rooms, a decontamination room for the cleaning, sterilising and packing of dental instruments, a waiting area and a reception area. The main entrance to the practice is located on the sixth floor of the building via a lift or stairs. The practice is contained on one floor and there is full disabled access. There is a patient toilet next to the entrance to the practice and a disabled toilet on the first floor of the building.

The practice is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm. The practice offers evening appointments until 8.00pm on Mondays.

Preston Park Dental Care has two dentists, two dental nurses (one of whom is a trainee), two hygienists and two receptionists. The team are supported by a practice manager who is also a dental nurse.

Before the inspection we sent Care Quality Commission (CQC) comments cards to the practice for patients to complete to tell us about their experience of the practice. We collected 16 completed cards. All of the comments cards provided a positive view of the service the practice provides. Patients commented that staff were friendly, professional and respectful.

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 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.

We spoke with five patients who used the service. They were all happy with the care and treatment they received and the way in which it was delivered. One patient told us, "The care is excellent. I have a lot of confidence in them (staff)".

We saw before patients received any care or treatment they were asked for their consent and the provider acted in accordance with their wishes. We noted patients' verbal and written consent was obtained before care and treatment was undertaken. Patients' views and experiences were taken into account in the way the service was provided and delivered in relation to their treatment. Patients were cared for, or supported by, suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff.

The care and treatment we saw was safe and appropriate. Care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure patients' safety and welfare. There were arrangements and equipment in place to deal with medical emergencies. We saw there were effective systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. We also found systems were in place for patients and relatives to make a complaint about the service if necessary. Complaints were managed in a timely and satisfactory manner.