We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 1 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

Established in 2005, Claypath Dental Practice is housed in a three-storey listed building in Durham, County Durham. The practice provides predominantly NHS treatment to patients of all ages.

There are three treatment rooms spread over two floors, a reception and waiting room, a dedicated decontamination room for sterilising dental instruments, a staff kitchen and a general office. Car parking is available on the side-streets near the practice. Access for wheelchair users or pushchairs is not possible due to building restrictions, however details of alternative practices are provided to patients where relevant.

The practice is open Monday -Thursday 0830-1800 and Friday 0900-1700.

The dental team is comprised of the principal dentist who is also the registered provider, three associate dentists, a dental hygienist, eight dental nurses (three of whom are also receptionists) and a practice manager.

The practice owner is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual. 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 eight 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 found staff to be very caring and felt they were treated in a clean and tidy environment. They also mentioned the overall atmosphere within the practice was very relaxed which put patients at ease.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was well organised, visibly clean and free from clutter.
• Staff were very friendly, caring and enthusiastic.
• An Infection prevention and control policy was in place. We saw the sterilisation procedures followed recommended guidance.
• Dental professionals provided treatment in accordance with current professional guidelines.
• Dental professionals were maintaining their continued professional development (CPD) in accordance with their professional registration.
• Complaints were dealt with in an efficient and positive manner.
• Staff received annual medical emergency training.
• Equipment for dealing with medical emergencies reflected guidance from the resuscitation council.
• The practice had systems for recording incidents and accidents.
• Practice meetings were used for shared learning.
• Patient feedback was regularly sought and reflected upon.
• Patients could access urgent care when required.
• Staff were aware on how to escalate safeguarding issues for children and adults should the need arise.
• The registered provider received safety alerts from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and distributed these amongst all staff within the practice.

On the day of our visit we saw the business had four dental practitioners, one practice manager, and nine dental nurses. The dental nurses undertook other duties, such as reception duties on a rotational basis.

We found people were involved in making decisions about their treatment and consent was gained before treatment commenced.

We found the premises to be clean and well maintained.

There were effective systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection.

We found staff received appropriate professional development and were well supported in their roles.

We were not able to speak with people who used the service during the course of our visit as we were unable to speak to people in private but we saw the provider sought the views of patients by asking them to complete a questionnaire. Responses from patients were generally positive.