We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 17 February 2017 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.

Background

Alpha Dental Studio Dales is located in Hawes, North Yorkshire and provides NHS and private treatment to adults and children. There is one surgery where all equipment and decontamination procedures take place.

Wheelchair users or pushchairs can access the practice through step free access. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.

The dental team is based at the main practice in Leyburn. There is one dentists a one dental nurse who visit the practice.

On the day of inspection we received 32 CQC comment cards providing positive feedback. The patients who provided feedback were very positive about the care and attention to treatment they received at the practice. They told us they were involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be very pleasant and helpful; staff were friendly and communicated well. Patients commented they could access emergency care easily and they were treated with dignity and respect in a clean and tidy environment.

 Alpha Dental Studio Dales provides an NHS service at the practice on a Friday only 9am -5pm.

The area manager is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
• Infection control procedures were robust and the practice followed published guidance.
• Staff had been trained to handle emergencies and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available in accordance with current guidelines.
• The practice had systems in place manage risks.
• Staff understood and received safeguarding training and knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report it.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Effective recruitment processes of staff were in place.
• Treatment was well planned and provided in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs.
• The service was aware of the needs of the local population and took these into account in how the practice was run
• The practice was well-led and staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.
• Complaints were responded to in an efficient and responsive manner.

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

• Review the security of the dental surgery when not in use.
• Review the practice information available to patients in the waiting area, including the practice complaints process, opening hours and staff information.

People told us that they were always consulted about the options available to them and given information to help them make decisions about their treatment. People said that they were happy with the care and treatment they received, and were treated well by the staff. Comments made to us by people who used the service included ‘very good, they have always said that there are choices and explained the costs’, ‘I’ve found them very good, no problems at all’ and ‘it was good to find someone who made you feel comfortable’. Treatment records showed that people’s treatment was appropriately planned and recorded.

Suitable arrangements were in place to provide emergency first aid and resuscitation if needed. Procedures were also in place to ensure that equipment was appropriately decontaminated and sterilised. Staff were able to describe these arrangements clearly and had been appropriately trained in the prevention of infection and first aid. Comments made to us by people who used the service included ‘kind, professional and good at their jobs’ and ‘they are very good, very nice’.

Information on making complaints was available to people who used the service. People said they would feel able to raise any concerns with staff. Records showed that any complaints had been responded to appropriately.