Updated 5 July 2017
Background
Sapphire Dental Practice is located in Reading and provides NHS treatment to patients of all ages. The premises are on the first floor above retail premises and consist of one treatment room, an office and a reception area. The practice is open on Monday to Friday 9:00am – 5:30pm. The practice provides NHS 111 out of hour’s services to dental practices in Berkshire and Oxfordshire. The out of hours service is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 6:30pm – 10:00pm.
The dental team includes two principal dentists, two dental nurses one of whom is also the practice manager and a receptionist.
The practice is owned by a partnership and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the Care Quality Commission as the registered manager. 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 registered manager at Sapphire Dental Practice was one of the principal dentists.
On the day of inspection we collected one CQC comment card filled in by a patient and spoke with two other patients. We also reviewed results of the NHS Friends and Family test. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.
During the inspection we spoke with one of the principal dentists and a dental nurse. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
Our key findings were:
- The practice was clean and well maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- There were appropriate equipment and access to emergency drugs to enable the practice to respond to medical emergencies. Staff knew how to deal with emergencies.
- The practice had effective safeguarding processes in place and staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and child protection.
- Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned in line with current guidance such as from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
- We found the dentists regularly assessed each patient’s gum health and took X-rays at appropriate intervals.
- Patients were involved in their care and treatment planning so they could make informed decisions.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risk.
- The practice had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
- Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
- The appointment system met patients’ needs.
- The practice had effective leadership. Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
- The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.