We spoke to people in private at the practice address. Everyone we spoke to said that they were treated with respect. They said they signed to say they agreed with the treatment and that they had their treatment options explained to them so that they could make an informed decision about dental care and treatment. People said they considered the surgery and reception area to be clean and hygienic. They said that the dentist had considered their safety, individual requirements and that he was reassuring.

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Appletree Practice on 15 July 2015. Appletree Practice is a general dental practice situated close to the centre of Scarborough offering both NHS and private treatment to patients. The practice treats adults and children.

The ground floor premises consist of a reception area, a patient waiting area and a treatment room, which is accessible for patients with special mobility requirements. On the first floor there is another treatment room and a separate decontamination room.  The general office is sited on the second floor along with a staff room with facilities.

The staff structure of the practice consists of one dentist, a practice manager (who is also a dental nurse), one dental nurse, one hygienist and one reception staff. The practice opening times are 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and 8.30am to 4.30pm Wednesday and Friday. The practice is closed from 12.30pm to 1.30pm every day.

The Dentist, Mr Fordy 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.

We spoke with two patients on the day of our inspection and reviewed eight comment cards. They were very positive about the care and treatment they had received. Patients felt the dentist took time to explain care and treatment options in a way they understood. Common themes were patients felt they received good care and staff provided a welcoming and caring service.

Our key findings were:

We found that this practice was providing safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

• There were effective systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. We found all treatment rooms and equipment appeared very clean.

• There were systems in place to check all equipment had been serviced regularly, including the suction compressor, autoclave, fire extinguishers, oxygen cylinder and the X-ray equipment.

• We found the dentist regularly assessed each patient’s gum health and took X-rays at appropriate intervals.

• The practice ensured staff maintained the necessary skills and competence to support the needs of patients.

• The practice kept up to date with current guidelines and was led by a proactive and forward thinking management team.

• At our visit, we observed staff were caring, compassionate, competent and put patients at their ease.

• We spoke with two patients on the day of our visit and reviewed eight comments cards. Common themes were patients felt they received professional, caring and compassionate care in a very friendly and clean environment.

However, there were areas where the provider could make improvements, the provider should:

• Ensure domestic cleaning equipment is correctly stored to avoid the potential for cross contamination.

Ensure domestic cleaning cupboard is locked at all times when not in use and appropriate chemical warning signs are in place.