We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 18 July 2016 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

The practice is located in premises close to Chesterfield town centre. The practice provides mostly NHS dental treatments. There is a small car park to the rear of the practice for patients use. There are four treatment rooms of which one is located on the ground floor.

The practice was first registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in April 2011. The practice provides regulated dental services to both adults and children. Services provided include general dentistry, dental hygiene, crowns and bridges, and root canal treatment.

The practice’s opening hours are: Monday to Thursday: 9 am to 1 pm and 2pm to 5:30 pm; Friday: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1 om to 3:30 pm.

Access for urgent treatment outside of opening hours is by telephoning the practice and following the instructions on the answerphone message. Alternatively patients could telephone the NHS 111 telephone number.

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual. 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.

The practice has three dentists; two dental hygienists; two dental therapist; three qualified dental nurses; three trainee dental nurses and a practice manager.

We received positive feedback from 22 patients about the services provided. This was through CQC comment cards left at the practice prior to the inspection and by speaking with patients in the practice.

Our key findings were:

• The practice had the necessary equipment for staff to deal with medical emergencies, and staff had been trained how to use that equipment. This included an automated external defibrillator, oxygen and emergency medicines.
• The practice was visibly clean and tidy.
• Records showed there were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Dentists identified the different treatment options, and discussed these with patients.
• Patients’ confidentiality was maintained.
• Patients said they had no difficulty getting an appointment that suited their needs.
• Patients we spoke with at the practice, and through CQC comment cards provided positive feedback about their experiences at the practice. Patients said they were treated with dignity and respect.
• The practice was well equipped and provided a relaxed atmosphere for patients.
• There was a whistleblowing policy accessible to all staff, who were aware of procedures to follow if they had any concerns.
• Patients were able to express their views and comments, and the practice listened to those views and acted upon them.

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

• Review the practice's protocols for completion of dental records giving due regard to guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice regarding clinical examinations and record keeping. Particularly dating policies, procedures and risk assessments and identifying when those documents are to be reviewed.

People we spoke to said that they received care which met their needs and felt staff communicated with them well. They also said that they felt the practice was clean and that staff used personal protective equipment to ensure hygienic practice.