Bupa Dental Care Longfield

Updated 26 November 2015

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the practice was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and to pilot a new inspection process being introduced by the CQC.

• This inspection was carried out on 11 February 2015. Our inspection was led by a CQC Inspector.
• Prior to the inspection we reviewed information that we held about the provider. We also viewed information that we asked the provider to send us in advance of the inspection.
• During the inspection we spoke with the practice manager, a dentist, a dental nurse, and two of the practice receptionists.
• We observed staff interaction with patients and looked around the premises and the treatment rooms.
• We spoke with four patients and reviewed 5 comment cards
• We reviewed a range of policies and procedures and other documents.
• We reviewed a sample of dental care records to assess their quality and structure.

We informed Healthwatch that we were inspecting the practice; however we did not receive any information of concern from them.

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

Updated 26 November 2015

We carried out a comprehensive inspection at Oasis Dental Care on 11 February 2015.

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

The practice provided NHS, a fixed price private fees arrangement and private dental treatment to patients in the Longfield and surrounding areas of Kent.

The practice first opened in 1990 and provides some NHS and private dental treatment to patients of all ages. The practice delivers general dental services and specialist treatments such as orthodontics and cosmetic dental treatments. The practice team consists of the principal dentist, one associate dentist, an orthodontist and one part time dental hygienist. The clinical team are supported by six dental nurses four of whom perform dual roles within the practice, four receptionists, three of which are registered dental nurses and a practice manager who is also a registered dental nurse.

The practice consists of four treatment rooms with a reception and large waiting area. Patient areas are on the ground and first floor with access suitable for all patients. There is a ramp available which provides flat access to the building.

During our inspection we spoke with four patients and reviewed five comments cards, which patients had completed in the two weeks before our visit. All patients commented positively about the care and treatment they had received and the friendly, efficient and professional staff. A number of patients commented on the sympathetic, understanding dentists who had helped them overcome their fears.

Our key findings were:

• The practice provided a clean well equipped environment
• Staff had been recruited according to the practice policy and procedure and all relevant checks had been made prior to them starting work
• We observed staff were kind and caring in the way they dealt with patients
• There was a regular schedule of staff meetings which included staff training.
• Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed. There were clear instructions for patients regarding out of hours care.
• There was clear leadership of the practice and staff told us they felt well supported and comfortable to raise concerns or make suggestions.