We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 26 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

Cranleigh Dental Practice has three dentists, a dental hygienist, five dental nurses and a receptionist and practice manager. Four of the dental nurses are qualified and registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) and one is a student nurse. The practice opens at 9am from Monday to Thursday and closes at 6pm. On Fridays the practice is open 9am to 1pm.

Cranleigh Dental Practice provides both NHS and private treatment for adults and children. The practice is situated in a converted residential property. There are three dental treatment rooms; and a separate decontamination room for cleaning, sterilising and packing dental instruments. There is also a reception and waiting area.

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.

Before the inspection we sent Care Quality Commission comment cards to the practice for patients to complete to tell us about their experience of the practice, we also spoke with patients following the inspection. We received feedback from seven patients who provided an overall positive view of the services the practice provides. Three patients commented that there could occasionally be a wait to see the dentist after their appointment time but also praised the practice. All of the patients commented that the quality of care was good.

Our key findings were:

• The practice had mechanisms in place to record significant events and accidents.
• The practice had effective safeguarding processes and staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children
• The practice had enough staff to deliver the service.
• Infection prevention and control systems were in place and audits were completed on a six monthly basis
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• The practice kept up to date with current guidelines when considering the care and treatment needs of patient’s
• Health promotion advice was given to patients appropriate to their individual needs such as smoking cessation or dietary advice.
• Patients felt involved in all treatment decisions and were given sufficient information, including details of costs to enable them to make an informed choice.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum
• Feedback from seven patients gave us a completely positive picture of a friendly, caring and professional service.
• The practice had implemented clear procedures for managing comments, concerns or complaints.

We carried out this follow up inspection in order to ensure that actions taken to address the non compliance we had reported on at our inspection on the 8 October 2012 had been addressed.

We did not speak to any people visiting the practice as we saw they were either leaving the building or were engaged in their appointment.

We found that improvements had been made to procedures for protecting people from harm. This meant that people were protected from the risk of harm and abuse as staff had up to date guidance on how to identify and report any allegations of abuse or harm.

We found that improvements had been made regarding the arrangements in relation to the administering, recording and the storing of medicines. This meant that people were protected from the risk of harm as the provider had made sure that appropriate arrangements were in place in relation managing medicines.

We found that improvements had been made regarding the arrangements for the standards of hygiene and cleanliness in the practice. This meant that people were protected from the risk of infection as effective systems were in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection.

Improvements had been made as people’s records were stored appropriately which promoted their rights to confidentiality.

We received written feedback from people using the service during our inspection. People said that they were very satisfied with the services provided. They told us that they found that the practice was always clean and tidy and the atmosphere was always welcoming and comfortable. They said they felt that they were well informed about their treatment, and were made aware of their progress.

We were told that all of the dentists and staff were professional, reliable and people felt safe and well cared for. People told us that booking appointments was always flexible and their appointments on time.