We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 31 August 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

Royal Mews Dental Practice is a dental practice situated in purpose adapted residential premises in Southend on Sea, Essex.

The practice has three treatment rooms, two waiting rooms and a reception area. Decontamination takes place in a dedicated decontamination room (Decontamination is the process by which dirty and contaminated instruments are bought from the treatment room, washed, inspected, sterilised and sealed in pouches ready for use again).

The practice has a principal dentist, one associate dentist, three dental hygienists, six dental nurses and a practice manager. The dental nurses also carry out reception duties.

The practice is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an organisation. The principal dentist is the registered manager. 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.

The practice offers private general preventative and cosmetic dental treatments to adults and children. The opening hours of the practice are 8.30 am to 5.30 pm on Mondays, 8.30 am to 7pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, between 8.30 am and 5 pm on Thursday, 7.30am to 2pm on Fridays and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays.

We left comment cards at the practice for the two weeks preceding the inspection. Eight people provided feedback about the service in this way. All of the comments spoke highly of the dental care and treatment that they received and the professional, attentive and caring attitude of the dentists and dental nurses.

Our key findings were:

• There was an effective complaints system and learning from complaints was used to make improvements where this was required.
• The practice was visibly clean and clutter free and Infection control practices met national guidance.
• There were a number of systems in place to help keep people safe, including safeguarding vulnerable children and adults.
• Staff were trained and supported to meet the needs of patients.
• Dental care and treatments were carried out in line with current legislation and guidelines.
• Patients reported that they were received exemplary dental care and they were treated with respect and compassion and staff were understanding, polite and helpful.
• Patients were involved in making decisions about their care and treatments.
• The practice provided a flexible appointments system and could normally arrange a routine appointment within a few days or emergency appointments mostly on the same day.
• The practice kept medicines and equipment for use in medical emergencies. These were in line with national guidance and regularly checked so that they were fit for use.
• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties, and equipment was well maintained.
• Governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the service.
• Patient’s views were sought and used to make improvements to the service.

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

• Review the arrangements for auditing the quality of X-ray images so that the grading is assessed in accordance with the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) guidelines..