The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Archived: Portway Dental Practice

Portway, Wantage, Oxfordshire, OX12 9BU (01235) 762187

Provided and run by:
Mr Peter Brodie

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile
Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

7 November 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We visited the provider to follow up on areas of non-compliance identified at our previous visit. At our visit on 18 June 2013 we found that the provider did not regularly assess and monitor the quality of the service and that patients were not regularly asked for feedback on the service. We also found that systems to identify, assess and manage risks were not always in place. The provider wrote to us with an action plan and told us that they would take action by 28 September 2013.

During our visit on 7 November 2013 we saw that 100 patients had been asked for their feedback through a satisfaction questionnaire. We saw that 99% of the patients who had responded were satisfied with the service they were receiving. Comments included 'excellent service' and 'brilliant, attentive and professional as always'. We saw that where one patient had made a negative comment staff had responded appropriately.

We saw that the practice had implemented a system of audit to monitor the quality of the service that patients were receiving. We saw that learning had been identified from the audits and the practice planned to continue with a range of audits to improve the service. We found that the provider had undertaken an infection control audit to identify, assess and manage risks relating to infection control. We saw that action had been taken to improve infection control procedures.

18 June 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with four patients, two dentists and three members of staff who were directly employed by the practice. One patient said 'I love coming here. I feel quite happy and comfortable.' Patients were involved in making decisions about their treatment. One patient said 'they explain what the options are, how long it takes and how much it will cost.' One dentist said 'the decision to have a treatment should be theirs [the patients] and they need to make an informed decision. I explain the options and the risks.'

Patients we spoke with told us the practice was always clean and tidy. The practice operated processes, and followed procedures, that minimised the risk and spread of infection because current guidelines were followed.

Staff we spoke with felt well supported by the practice. One receptionist said 'it's a lovely place to work.' We saw that relevant training and development had been undertaken by staff.

The practice did not appropriately assess and monitor the quality of the service. Patients were not asked for feedback through satisfaction surveys. Appropriate audits were not undertaken to identify learning and develop best practice.