We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 22 June 2015 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.

Westwood Dental Practice is located in Langley, Berkshire. The practice was established in 1948 and the current principal dentist purchased and took over the practice in 2008.

The practice occupies the ground floor of a two storey building. The premises consist of four treatment rooms and a dedicated decontamination room. There are also separate reception and waiting room areas, staff room, lockable cloakroom, a store room and toilet facilities. The practice is open Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.30pm.

The practice provides NHS and private dental services and treats both adults and children. The practice offers a range of dental services including routine examinations and treatment, veneers, crowns and bridges and oral hygiene.

The staff structure of the practice is comprised of one principal dentist (who was also the owner), an associate dentist, qualified dentists in post graduate training, Endodontist, hygienist, five nurses (two of which also held reception duties), two trainee nurses and a practice manager.

The principal dentist was the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

We spoke with two patients during the inspection. They told us that they were satisfied with the services provided, that the dentists provided them with clear explanations about their care and treatment and that staff listened and treated them with care, dignity and respect.

We viewed CQC comment cards that had been left for patients to complete, prior to our visit, about the services provided. There were 41 completed comment cards and all of them reflected positive comments about the staff and the services provided.

Patients commented that the practice was clean and hygienic and that all the staff were friendly, caring and helpful. They said it was easy to book an appointment and the quality of the dentistry treatments and advice they received was excellent. Patients said explanations given about their treatments were clear and that the dentist put them at ease during the course of treatment.

Our key findings were:

• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned in line with best practice guidance, such as from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
• Patients indicated that they felt they were listened to and that they received good care from a helpful and patient practice team.
• Patients told us they were treated with kindness and respect by staff. Staff ensured there was sufficient time to explain fully the care and treatment they were providing in a way patients understood. Patients commented they felt involved in their treatment and that it was fully explained to them.

• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.

• The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.

• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.

• The practice had implemented clear procedures for managing comments, concerns or complaints.
• The principal dentist had a clear vision for the practice and staff told us they were well supported by the management team.