We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 27 September 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

Battle Hill Dental Practice is situated in Hexham, Northumberland. The practice is housed within a grade II listed property and consists of two treatment rooms, an open-plan reception and waiting area with children’s’ toys , a second waiting room upstairs, a dedicated decontamination room for sterilising dental instruments and a storage/staff room. There are ‘disabled’ car parking bays close to the premises and several other spaces in two pay and display car parks nearby. Access for wheelchair users or pushchairs is possible throughout the ground floor of the practice.

Dental professionals at Battle Hill Dental Practice provide both National Health Service (NHS) and private treatments. Adults are treated under a private plan or fee per item basis whilst children receive free NHS treatment. Services include general dentistry, hygienist treatment and orthodontics.

The practice’s opening hours are: Monday and Thursday: 0900-1730, Tuesday and Wednesday: 0900-1700 and Friday: 0800-1300.

The dental team is comprised of the principal dentist, two qualified dental nurses, a receptionist and a dental hygienist.

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.

We reviewed 27 Care Quality Commission (CQC) comment cards on the day of our visit. Patients were very positive about the staff and standard of care provided by the practice. Patients commented they felt involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be helpful, respectful, friendly and were treated in a clean and tidy environment.

Our key findings were:

• All staff were welcoming and friendly.
• The practice was well organised and the premises was visibly clean and free from clutter.
• An infection prevention and control policy was in place and sterilisation procedures followed recommended guidance.
• The practice had systems for recording incidents and accidents.
• Practice meetings were used for shared learning.
• The practice had a safeguarding policy and staff were aware on how to escalate safeguarding issues for children and adults should the need arise.
• Staff received annual medical emergency training. Equipment for dealing with medical emergencies reflected guidance from the resuscitation council.
• The practice was actively involved in promoting oral health.
• Dental professionals provided treatment in accordance with current professional guidelines.
• Patients could access urgent care when required.
• Dental professionals were maintaining their continued professional development (CPD) in accordance with their professional registration.
• Patient feedback was regularly sought and reflected upon.
• Complaints were dealt with in an efficient and positive manner.

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

• Review the practice's recruitment policy and procedures in line with Schedule 3 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 to ensure necessary employment checks are in place for all staff and the required specified information in respect of persons employed by the practice is held. This includes making appropriate notes of verbal references taken and ensuring recruitment checks, including immunisation status, indemnity and references, are suitably obtained and recorded.

People told us they were happy with the dental care and treatment they received from Battle Hill Dental Practice and they spoke very highly of the service. One person said, "I have been coming to this practice for over 20 years. They tell me about everything and I am kept informed." Another person said, "It is a very good practice. I am happy with my treatment."

We found that people's dental care and treatment needs were assessed and their treatment was planned. One person said, "The staff are very friendly here and very helpful." We saw that people were cared for in a clean and hygienic environment and infection control was appropriately managed. Staff were trained to an appropriate standard and were supported by the provider to deliver care and treatment to people safely. We found the provider had systems in place to monitor the quality of the service they delivered.