Archived: Oasis Dental Care Central - Preston 2

Updated 3 September 2015

The inspection took place on 28 July 2015 and was conducted by a CQC inspector and a specialist clinical 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 usually 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. Unfortunately the practice did not receive this request but had the information available for us on the day of the inspection.

We also reviewed the information we held about the practice and found there were no areas of concern.

During the inspection we spoke with one orthodontist, the practice manager, a dental nurse and the receptionist. We reviewed policies, procedures and other documents. We reviewed comments, made by patients in the in the CQC comment cards, about the services provided at the practice.

Updated 3 September 2015

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 28 July 2015.

The practice is owned by Oasis Dental Care (Central) Limited. There are three specialist orthodontic consultants in the practice and a part time therapist. They are supported by two dental nurses, a patient co-ordinator, one receptionist and a practice manager. All staff in the practice work part time.

The practice provides primary NHS orthodontic services to children. Orthodontics is a dental treatment which involves the improvement of the appearance and position of mal-aligned teeth. There are also a small number of patients who receive private funded orthodontic care. The practice is open Monday to Thursday with a late surgery on Tuesday and Wednesday nights for patients who are privately funded and Thursday night for NHS patients.

The practice manager is registered with CQC as the registered manager for the practice. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run. The practice manager is also responsible for two other group practices in the area.

We viewed 30 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 and approachable and they found the quality of care to be excellent. They said explanations were clear which made the dental experience as comfortable as possible.

We also spoke with one patient who was waiting for treatment. They told us they were very happy with their treatment, the cleanliness of the practice and the way they were treated by staff.

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 formal 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 appropriate medicines 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.
• 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.