We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 12 April 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

Churchview Dental Practice is a partnership and offers its services from two locations, Churchview Dental Practice, Eastling Lane, Houghton Le Spring, Tyne and Wear, DH5 0JN which we inspected and Dairy Lane Dental Practice, Houghton Le Spring, Tyne and Wear, DH4 5BH which we did not visit on the day of our inspection.

The practice offers primary care dentistry and conscious sedation to patients under the NHS and dental care not available under the NHS can be provided on a private basis.

The practice is open Monday from 9am to 8pm and Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 5.30pm.

There are five dentists, 10 dental nurses (two of whom are student dental nurses), a receptionist and a practice manager. The facilities include four surgeries, a decontamination room and a reception and waiting area.

The partnership is the registered provider for the practice and there is a registered manager. 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 received feedback from patients about the service via 27Care Quality Commission comment cards. All of the comments were positive about the staff and the services provided. Comments included: pleasant and informative staff, polite, very caring and very professional.

At the time of our inspection the practice was clean and tidy.

Our key findings were:

• There was an effective complaints system.
• Staff had received safeguarding training, 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.
• Staff had been trained to manage medical emergencies.
• Infection control procedures were in accordance with the published guidelines.
• Patient care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines and current regulations.
• 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 confidentiality was maintained.
• Patients could access routine treatment and urgent care when required.
• The practice was well-led, staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The governance systems were effective.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.

People told us the service they received from the practice was “Brilliant” and they were made to feel welcome by the staff. One person told us the dentist was “A lovely man” and the practice a “Nice place” and “They cater for your needs”. Another person explained how they had toothache and were a new patient and were able to obtain an appointment on the same day as they rang up. They were very nervous but said the dentist “Put me at my ease and explained everything”. The practice had been recommended to them by their friends and relatives who lived close by.

We spoke with two people and they said consent to treatment was sought and treatment fully explained. We found that people were given appropriate information regarding treatment. Care and support was given and met their needs and protected their rights.

The service was following the appropriate guidance regarding the risk of infection. Those we spoke with found the practice to be clean.

The provider could demonstrate that appropriate checks were in place regarding the recruitment and vetting of staff. There was an effective system in place to monitor the quality of service.