Warwick Dental Care

Updated 22 June 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the registered provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008

The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who had access to remote advice from a specialist advisor.

We reviewed the information before the inspection sent by the provider for example; the Statement of Purpose and the number of complaints received by the provider.

We informed NHS England area team that we were inspecting the practice; however we did not receive any information of concern from them.

The methods that were used to collect information at the inspection included interviewing staff, observations and reviewing documents.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, a dental nurse, the receptionist and the practice manager. We reviewed policies, procedures, and other records relating to the management of the service.

We reviewed 32 completed CQC comment cards.

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 therefore formed the framework for the areas we looked at during the inspection.

Updated 22 June 2016

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 5 May 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

The practice offers both NHS and private primary care dentistry to both adult patients and children.

The practice is open Monday to Friday from 08.40 to 5.00pm, with late appointments until 7.00pm on a Tuesday and the practice opens one Saturday per month. The reception remains open during lunchtimes.

There are four dentists, six qualified dental nurses, three dental hygienist, one dental therapist, three trainee dental nurses, a receptionist and a practice manager.

Dental Foundation Training (DFT) introduces new graduates to general practice. It provides a protected environment to work in for a year whilst they undertake training to prepare for working in the NHS.

The principal dentist is the registered provider and manager for the practice. 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.

On the day of inspection we received 32 CQC comment cards providing feedback. The patients who provided feedback were very positive about the care and attention to treatment they received at the practice. They told us they were involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be kind, polite and considerate. Patients commented they could access emergency care easily and they were treated with dignity and respect in a clean and tidy environment.

Our key findings were:

• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties, and equipment was well maintained.
• There was an effective complaints system.
• Staff had received safeguarding training, knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report it.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to manage medical emergencies.
• Infection control procedures were in accordance with the published guidelines.
• Patient care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines and current regulations.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• Patients could access routine treatment and urgent care when required.
• The practice was well-led, staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The governance systems were effective.