Archived: Mydentist - Bristol Gardens - Brighton

At a previous responsive inspection in September 2014, we found that the practice was non-compliant in the area of supporting staff. We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 3 May 2016 to check that this area had been addressed and to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

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.

Mydentist (Bristol Gardens – Brighton) is a general dental practice in Brighton, East Sussex, offering NHS and private dental treatment to adults and children. The practice also offers sedation services for patients who have been referred from other dental practices in the area.

The practice is situated in Kemp Town near to the centre of Brighton. The practice has five treatment rooms, a decontamination room for the cleaning, sterilising and packing of dental instruments, a sedation recovery room and a waiting/ reception area. The main entrance to the practice is located at the front of the building on the ground floor. The practice is contained over two floors and there is full disabled access. There is a patient toilet next to the waiting area.

The practice is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm.

Mydentist (Bristol Gardens – Brighton) has three dentists, one sedationist (a type of dentist who can provide sedatives to patients who are nervous about undergoing dental treatment), seven dental nurses (two of whom are trainees), one hygienist and two receptionists. The team are supported by a practice manager.

Before the inspection we sent Care Quality Commission (CQC) comments cards to the practice for patients to complete to tell us about their experience of the practice. We collected 12 completed cards. All of the comments cards provided a positive view of the service the practice provides. Patients commented that staff were helpful, professional and respectful.

Our key findings were:

• There were systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. The practice was visibly clean and well maintained.
• There were systems in place to check all equipment had been serviced regularly, including the steriliser, fire extinguishers, oxygen cylinder and the X-ray equipment.
• The practice had effective systems in place to gain the comments and views of people who used the service.
• Patients were satisfied with the treatment they received and were complimentary about staff at the practice.
• Staff had received training appropriate to their roles and were supported in their continued professional development (CPD).
• We observed that staff showed a caring and attentive approach towards patients. All patients were recognised and greeted warmly on arrival at reception.
• The practice had effective safeguarding processes in place and staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• Staff were proud of the practice and their team. Staff felt well supported and were committed to providing a quality service to their patients.

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

• Review the practice’s protocols in order to ensure that dental care records are maintained appropriately giving due regard to guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice regarding clinical examinations and record keeping.