We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 17 November 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

Rudgwick Dental Practice was established 18 years ago. It is located on the first floor of a purpose built medical centre and comprises of two surgeries, a separate decontamination room, an office and a reception area combined with the waiting room. The practice provides general NHS dentistry to the local population and private dentistry either on a fee per item or through a practice payment plan. The practice also has a private contract with a local Japanese school.

There is one full time principle dentist, two part time associate dentists, a hygienist, and a dental therapist. The practice employs four qualified dental nurses and a practice manager who is also a qualified nurse. The principle dentist is also the registered manager. 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.

The practice is open Monday to Friday 8.45am 5.30pm. In 2014 the practice introduced an additional clinic on Mondays from 5.30pm to 8pm to provide an opportunity for NHS examinations outside normal working hours. The practice is open alternate Saturdays from 9am to 1pm for private patients.

We reviewed 26 completed Care Quality Commission (CQC) comment cards and obtained the views of seven patients on the day of the inspection. Patients commented on the caring, friendly nature of professional staff delivering an excellent service.

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared visibly clean, was bright and clutter free.
• Staff were polite, friendly and kind. Staff had an excellent knowledge of their patients.
• Staff had made all reasonable adjustments to enhance access to the practice and provided domiciliary visits when required.
• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties, and equipment was well maintained.
• Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies and emergency medicines and equipment were readily available.
• Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed.
• Infection control procedures exceeded published guidance.
• Clinical staff had the necessary skills to carry out their duties in line with the requirements of their professional registration.
• Dental nursing staff had completed extended duties to perform enhanced roles.
• The governance arrangements for the practice were extremely organised and efficient.
• Information from 26 completed Care Quality Commission (CQC) comment cards gave an entirely positive picture of a friendly and caring service.

We spoke with seven people who were all very positive about the service that they received from Rudgwick Dental Practice. People told us that they received a friendly service, were kept well informed and were offered choices about their care.

One person said, “I have no complaints at all, I have always had a very good service from the dentist”.

Another person said, “No one enjoys going to the dentist but I would say that they make it as pleasant as it can be.”