We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 24 January 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

Oasis Dental Care - Settle is located in Settle and provides NHS and private treatment to adults and children.

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 three dentists, six dental nurses (one of which is a trainee and one is the lead), a dental hygienist, a dental hygiene therapist, two receptionists, a practice co-ordinator and the practice manager.

The practice has four surgeries two on each floor, a dedicated room for taking Orthopantomogram (OPG) X-rays, a decontamination room for sterilising dental instruments, a staff room/kitchen and a general office.

On the day of inspection we received eight CQC comment cards providing positive feedback. The patients who provided feedback were very positive about the care and attention to treatment they received at the practice. They told us they were involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be efficient, friendly and polite. Patients commented they could access emergency care easily and they were treated with dignity and respect in a clean and tidy environment.

The practice is open:

Monday – Thursday 8am – 7pm

Friday 8am – 6pm.

The Practice manager 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.

• The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
• Infection control procedures were robust and the practice followed published guidance.
• Staff had been trained to handle emergencies and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available 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.
• Effective recruitment processes of staff were in place.
• Emergency equipment was available and staff were trained to respond to medical emergencies.
• 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 location of equipment in the X-ray room to ensure any trip hazards are removed.
• Review the decontamination equipment validation testing process to ensure all tests are carried out for each piece of equipment in line with current guidance.

We talked with five people using the service and they told us they were happy with the quality of dental treatment offered. People also said they felt they were involved in decisions about their treatment. Comments included: "I am asked about my treatment and told what to expect.” And “The dentist is very easy to talk to and goes through things with me."

We saw people could leave suggestions in the ‘suggestions/comments box’ and were asked to complete surveys. They also had access to a display screen providing further dental product information.

We looked at the dental records and these confirmed people were involved in decisions regarding their treatment.

We found the premises clean and the surgeries and building were well maintained. We also confirmed regular audits were completed and saw evidence that procedures were in place to ensure health and safety. We talked to staff about their experiences working for this service. Some of the staff had worked for many years for this practice. Comments included: "We are encouraged to keep up to date in our training.” And “There is a lot of support here and we all have our own responsibilities as well as work as a team.” And also “We do feel valued, our opinion matters we take part in nurses and practice meetings.”