Archived: Springfield Dental Practice

Updated 13 August 2015

The inspection took place on 23 June 2015 and was conducted by a CQC inspector who had access to remote clinical advice from a specialist advisor.

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. Prior to the inspection we asked the practice to send us some information which we reviewed. This included the complaints they had received in the last 12 months, their latest statement of purpose, the details of their staff members, their qualifications and proof of registration with their professional bodies.

We also reviewed information we held about the practice and found there were no areas of concern. During the inspection we spoke with the dentist, dental nurses, the practice manager and three patients. We reviewed policies, procedures and other documents. We reviewed 41 comment cards that we had left prior to the inspection, for patients to complete, about the services provided at the practice.

Updated 13 August 2015

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 23 June 2015. The practice has one principal dentist and two associate dentists. There are three dental nurses, and a practice manager. The practice provides primary dental services to private patients. The practice is open Monday to Thursday 9am – 5.30pm, 9am- 5.00pm Friday and a late evening on Tuesdays until 7pm.

The principal dentist is the registered provider. A registered provider is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered providers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

We viewed 41 CQC comment cards that had been left for patients to complete prior to our visit, about the services provided. All of the comment cards reflected positive comments about the staff and the services provided. Patients commented that the practice was clean and hygienic; they found the staff very friendly, courteous and professional. They had trust and confidence in the dental treatments and said explanations were clear and understandable. Emergency appointments were available on the same day and appointments ran on time.

The practice was providing care which was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led 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 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 deal with medical emergencies and emergency medicines and emergency 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.
• The practice staff felt involved and worked as a team. Governance systems were in place.

• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and they should:

• Ensure that national patient safety and other relevant alerts and guidance is followed and actions taken recorded.
• Ensure the medical emergency equipment meets the standards for the Resuscitation Council UK guidelines dental practice equipment list to include having an automated external defibrillator available.