The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Bower Dental Practice

15 Lime Hill Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1LJ (01892) 525541

Provided and run by:
Mr. David Bower

All Inspections

3 October 2017

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced inspection on 3 October 2017 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 registered 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

Bower Dental Practice is in Tunbridge Wells and provides NHS and private treatment to patients of all ages.

There is level access by use of a ramp for people who use wheelchairs and pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including some for patients with disabled badges, are available in a multi story car park near the practice.

The dental team includes three dentists, four dental nurses, two dental hygienists, a practice manager who is also a registered dental nurse and two receptionists. The practice has three 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.

On the day of inspection we collected 47 CQC comment cards filled in by patients and spoke with four other patients the day after our inspection. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.

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

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm

Our key findings were:

  • The practice was clean and well maintained.
  • The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
  • Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
  • The practice had systems to help them manage risk.
  • The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
  • The practice had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
  • The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
  • Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
  • The appointment system met patients’ needs.
  • The practice had effective leadership. Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
  • The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
  • The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.

15 January 2014

During a routine inspection

We spoke with three patients. Patients told us they were very satisfied with the practice. They said they never had to wait long for appointments, and in an emergency they had always been seen on the same day. One patient said 'The dentists are absolutely lovely, they explain everything'. Another patient said 'I have no concerns, I think it is a very professionally run practice'.

Patients said their treatment plans were always explained and discussed with them, including choices about treatment and costs. Patients said that the practice was always clean, and all the staff were friendly and welcoming.

We found that patients who used the practice understood the care and treatment choices available to them. We found that the provider had an effective system to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that patients received.

20 February 2012

During a routine inspection

During our visit we spoke with some people who used the service when they were waiting for their appointments or had just seen their dentist.

People told us that the practice was friendly and welcoming. They were given good information about any treatment they needed and were reassured if they felt at all nervous about any procedures.

People liked being able to contact the practice in the way they preferred, such as via e mail or by telephone. People said it was helpful that it sent them text reminders of appointments.

Comments that people made included,

'It's a good practice, always friendly we are made to feel welcome'.

'Any problems we have are dealt with straight away.'

'A good family run practice '

'Quite satisfied with the practice'

One person said their dentist was 'Lovely, smashing'