We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 15 December 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

Beverley House Dental Practice is located in Hessle, Humberside and provides NHS and private treatment to patients of all ages.

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

The dental team is comprised of two dentists, three dental nurses, a dental hygiene therapist and a receptionist working within two treatment rooms.

On the day of inspection we received 12 CQC comment cards providing positive feedback.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, a dental nurse and a receptionist, to assess the quality of care provided we looked at practice policies and protocols and other records relating to the management of the service.

The practice is open:

Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 9am – 5:30pm

Tuesday 9am -7pm

Friday 9am -5pm.

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual and is legally responsible for making sure that the practice meets the requirements relating to safety and quality of care, as specified in the regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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 medical emergencies and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment was 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.
• Safe recruitment of staff was 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 manor.

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

• Review the process to check medical emergency equipment and medicines.
• Review the process of flushing and recording water outlets that are not used daily.

We spoke with a dentist, a dental nurse, the receptionist and two patients as part of this inspection. Patients told us that they were consulted about the treatment they needed prior to consenting and that they were given a copy of their treatment plan. Patients said that they were satisfied with the treatment they had received. One person told us, “I am a new patient so have not received a survey, but I was very satisfied with the treatment I received yesterday. I had some concerns and the dentist put my mind at rest”.

The premises were accessible to people with mobility problems and we saw that they were maintained in a clean and hygienic condition.

The arrangements in place for the control of infection were robust and instruments were cleaned in a dedicated decontamination room.

The dentists and dental nurses had undertaken various training opportunities to ensure that their continuous professional development (CPD) had been achieved. A dental nurse told us that staff were well supported by the principal dentist.

There had been no compliants received by the practice for a number of years but there was a system in place to deal with complaints if they were received.