Archived: Precise Dental Care

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 18 May 2015.

Precise Dental Surgery provides private, general dental services to patients of all ages. The team at the practice included a dentist who is the registered manager a practice manager who is also a dental nurse, she helps to deliver the practice’s administration and clinical governance systems. There are also two dental nurses, working on a part-time basis on a rota and a receptionist. The practice is open Monday 9.00am to 7.00pm, Tuesday to Thursday 8.30am to 5.30pm and Friday 08.00am to 4.00pm. The practice also offers appointments on a Saturday by arrangement.

The practice is housed in a converted residential property and is on the ground floor. There is one treatment room. The reception and waiting area are on the ground floor along with a dedicated decontamination room and patient toilet. The practice is accessible to patients with restricted mobility as treatment is carried out on the ground floor.

The dentist is 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.

During our inspection we spoke with two patients and reviewed 15 comments cards, which patients had completed in the week before our visit. All patients commented positively about the care and treatment they had received and the friendly, polite and professional staff. A number of patients commented on the discussions they had with the dentist about their care and treatment and how they felt listened to and were made to feel relaxed.

We found that this practice was providing safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Our key findings were:

• The practice recorded and analysed significant events and complaints and cascaded learning to staff.
• Staff had received safeguarding and whistleblowing training and knew the processes to follow to raise any concerns.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to handle emergencies and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available.
• Infection control procedures were in place and the practice followed published guidance.
• Patient’s care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines, best practice and current legislation.
• 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.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.
• There was an effective complaints system and the practice was open and transparent with patients if a mistake had been made.
• The practice was well-led and staff felt involved and worked as a team.
• Governance systems were effective and there was a range of clinical and non-clinical audits to monitor the quality of services.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.