Updated 6 June 2017
We carried out this announced inspection on 26 April 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.
We told the NHS England area team and Healthwatch that we were inspecting the practice. They did not have any relevant information to share with us regarding this dental practice.
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
Buxton Dental Practice is located in premises in the centre of the market town of Buxton in Derbyshire and provides both NHS and private treatment to patients of all ages.
There was level access at the rear of the practice which enabled patients who used a wheelchair or had large pushchairs access. Alternative arrangements were available at other dental practices within the town should access prove to be an issue. Car parking spaces, including for patients with disabled badges were located near by in pay and display car park.
The dental team includes three dentists; one orthodontist; two hygiene therapists; three qualified dental nurses including the practice manager; two trainee dental nurses and one receptionist. The practice has three treatment rooms, one of which is on the ground floor.
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 49 CQC comment cards filled in by patients and spoke with two other patients. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.
During the inspection we spoke with three dentists, three dental nurses, and the acting practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open: Monday: 8 am to 5 pm; Tuesday 8 am to 5 pm; Wednesday 9 am to 6 pm; Thursday: 9 am to 6 pm; and Friday: 9 am to 4 pm.
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.