We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 7th March 2017 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

Westbrook House Dental Surgery is a dental practice providing private treatment for both adults and children. The practice is based in purpose-built premises near the town centre of Newbury.

The practice has four dental treatment rooms located on the first floor of the premises and a separate local decontamination unit (LDU) also located on the first floor. The reception area on the ground floor is accessible to wheelchair users, prams and patients with limited mobility. However, as the treatment facilities are all located on the first floor and accessed by the stairs, patients with limited mobility are sign posed to a nearby practice which has easy access for such patients.

The practice employs three dentists, two dental hygienists, two nurses, an orthodontic therapist, one receptionist and a practice manager.

The practice’s opening hours are:

Monday to Thursday: 8.30am - 5.00pm

Friday: 8.30am - 3.00pm

Evening and Saturday appointments available on request and according to demand.

There are arrangements in place to ensure patients receive urgent medical assistance when the practice is closed and this is dealt with by an answer phone which gives details of the NHS out-of-hours service, via 111 or a named dentist.

The Principal dentist is the Registered Manager and is legally responsible for making sure that the practice meets the requirements relating to safety and quality of care, as specified in the regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Before the inspection, we sent CQC comment cards to the practice for patients to complete to tell us about their experience of the practice. We received feedback from fourteen patients. These provided a positive view of the services the practice provides. Patients commented on the high quality of care, the caring nature of all staff, the cleanliness of the practice and the overall high quality of patient care.

We obtained the views of two patients on the day of our inspection.

Our key findings were:

• We found that the practice ethos was to provide patient centred dental care in a relaxed and friendly environment.
• Effective leadership was provided by senior clinicians and a trio of empowered practice managers.
• Staff had been trained to handle emergencies and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available in accordance with current guidelines.
• The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties, and equipment was well maintained.
• Infection control procedures were robust and the practice followed published guidance.
• The practice had a safeguarding lead with effective processes in place for safeguarding adults and children living in vulnerable circumstances.
• There was a process in place for the reporting and shared learning when untoward incidents occurred in the practice.
• Dentists provided dental care in accordance with current professional and National Institute for Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
• The service was aware of the needs of the local population and took these into account in how the practice was run.
• Patients could access treatment and urgent and emergency care when required.
• Staff received training appropriate to their roles and were supported in their continued professional development (CPD) by the company.
• Staff we spoke with felt well supported by the senior clinicians and practice manager and were committed to providing a quality service to their patients.
• Patient feedback before and during our inspection gave us a positive picture of a friendly, caring, professional and high quality service.

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

• Review security for the local decontamination unit (LDU) and downstairs waste storage room.
• Review policies and update as required.
• Carry out staff appraisals.