We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 28 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

Belasis Dental Practice has been providing dental treatment for over 20 years to patients of all ages. The practice is situated in Billingham, County Durham and has one treatment room, a staff kitchen /general office and a combined reception and waiting room. There is a separate decontamination area located in the general office. Access for wheelchair users or pushchairs is possible via the step-free access at the front entrance and throughout the building. A car park is on-site for staff and patients with ample parking spaces. The principal dentist is currently expanding the practice into the adjacent property.

The practice is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 0830-1700 and Wednesday 0830 -1800.

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

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual registered person. 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 71 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. Patients mentioned they travelled from overseas and long distances within England in order to obtain regular treatment within this practice.

Our key findings were:

• Staff were very friendly and enthusiastic about their work.
• The practice was visibly clean and free from clutter.
• The practice had systems for recording incidents and accidents.
• Staff received annual medical emergency training and had sufficient medicines and equipment in place to manage medical emergencies.
• Dental professionals provided treatment in accordance with current professional guidelines.
• Patients could access urgent care when required.
• Complaints were dealt with in an efficient and positive manner.
• The practice had systems for recording incidents and accidents.
• Practice meetings were used for shared learning.
• Patient feedback was regularly sought and reflected upon.
• Staff were aware on how to escalate safeguarding issues for children and adults should the need arise.
• The principal dentist received safety alerts and distributed these amongst all staff within the practice.
• An Infection prevention and control policy was in place; sterilisation procedures did not follow recommended guidance.

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

• Review the practice’s infection control procedures and protocols to make sure they are suitable, giving due regard to guidelines issued by the Department of Health - Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices and The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance’.
• Review the practice legionella risk assessment and radiation equipment report to ensure the recommended actions have been considered and / or implemented.

People who use services experience effective, safe and appropriate care, treatment and support that meets their needs and protects rights