We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 2 December 2015 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 situated in Chester city centre. The practice has four dentists, a dental hygiene/ therapist, a practice manager, three qualified dental nurses and one trainee dental nurse. The practice provides general dental services to private patients only. The practice is open Monday – Friday 9am – 5.30pm and Saturday morning 9am – 1pm.

The principal dentist is the registered provider. A registered provider is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered providers 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 received feedback from 31 patients about the service. The 26 comment cards seen and five patients spoken to reflected positive comments about the staff and the services provided. Patients told us they had no concerns regarding the cleanliness and hygiene of the practice. They found the staff very caring and friendly. They had trust and confidence in the dental treatments and said explanations from clinicians were clear and understandable. Emergency appointments were available on the same day and appointments usually ran on time.

Our key findings were:

• The practice recorded and analysed accidents, incidents and complaints and cascaded learning to staff when they occurred.
• Staff had received safeguarding training and knew the processes to follow to raise any concerns.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies and emergency medicines and equipment were available.
• Infection control procedures were in place.
• Patients’ care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines, best practice and current legislation.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and their confidentiality was maintained.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.
• The practice staff felt involved and worked as a team.
• The practice took into account any comments, concerns or complaints and used these to help them improve.

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

• Implementation of a scheduled maintenance plan to cover all areas of the practice with priority on the treatment rooms/surgeries.
• Updating infection control audit action plans with progress on actions identified.
• Review how patient safety and other relevant alerts and guidance are followed and actions taken are recorded.

• Reviewing and updating policies and procedures including recruitment policies and procedures to ensure they meet relevant guidelines and legislation.