Patients we spoke with and feedback from surveys demonstrated that people felt the care they received was very good. They confirmed that the dentist always explained what they were doing, what they had found during examination and what the treatment options were including risks and benefits. Patients told us:

"I am quite happy with my treatment",

“The dentist explains what treatment is needed and why, they gave me options”.

We looked at records and found them to be completed accurately. Health assessments were reviewed and up dated regularly at each visit. Written and verbal information was given to patients and we saw evidence of completed treatment plans and costings to take away. Paper records were seen to be stored securely. There were arrangements in place for medical emergencies, staff were trained annually in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency equipment was in place and checked monthly. We found there were sufficient numbers of suitably experienced and qualified staff in order to care safely for the patients.

We found the practice was compliant with the essential quality requirements of Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices (HTM01-05). The HTM 01-05 is designed to assist all registered primary dental care services meet satisfactory levels of decontamination. Evidence was seen of the practice having undertaken regular audits which demonstrated compliance with HTM01-05 standards for 2012.

We carried out this announced inspection on 25 July 2018 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We planned the inspection to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it caring?

• Is it responsive to people’s needs?

• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

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

Woodchurch Dental Practice is located in a residential area and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There are ramps at the front and rear of the practice to facilitate access for wheelchair users and a dedicated car parking space is available. Additional car parking is available near the practice.

The dental team includes a principal dentist, two associate dentists, three dental nurses, a dental hygienist, and a receptionist. The dental team is supported by a practice manager. The practice has two treatment rooms.

The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They 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 received feedback from 12 people during the inspection about the services provided. The feedback provided was positive.

During the inspection we spoke to three dentists, dental nurses, and the receptionist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm

Our key findings were:

• The provider had safeguarding procedures in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• The practice had infection control procedures in place.
• The practice was clean and appropriately maintained internally. We saw some damage to the exterior of the premises.
• The provider had robust staff recruitment procedures in place.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Not all the recommended medical emergency equipment was available.
• Staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• The practice team took part in regular training to update and develop their skills.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• The dental team provided preventive care and supported patients to achieve better oral health.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• The provider had a procedure in place for dealing with complaints. The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
• The practice had a leadership and management structure and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice asked patients and staff for feedback about the services they provided.
• The provider had information governance arrangements in place.
• The provider had systems in place to identify risks. We found that insufficient measures had been put in place to reduce risks.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Review the availability of equipment in the practice to manage medical emergencies taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK) and the General Dental Council.
• Review the practice’s systems for environmental cleaning of the non-clinical areas of the practice taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health - Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices.
• Review the practice’s systems for assessing, monitoring and mitigating the various risks arising from the undertaking of the regulated activities. In particular, ensure sufficient information is recorded when accidents occur, ensure a review of the fire risk assessment is carried out, ensure the X-ray processing chemicals are stored securely, ensure sufficient measures are in place to reduce the risks associated with some of the medical emergency items, and ensure the relevant  X-ray machine cannot be used until the recommended safety measures are in place.