We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 7 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 just off the main street that runs through the town of Gainsborough in Lincolnshire. The practice is converted from two terraced houses and has been modernised and allows access all one level. It is a large practice, consisting of four treatment rooms, a decontamination room, and a patient waiting area at reception. There is free parking available on the streets around the practice and a large pay and display car park at the back of the practice. The building is accessed via a power assisted door and all areas of the practice are accessible to people who use wheelchairs. The practice has a portable hearing induction loop to assist people with hearing difficulties.

There are four dentists, two dental hygienists, four trainee dental nurses, a practice manager and a receptionist.

The practice provides both NHS and private dental treatment to adults and to children. The practice is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 6.30pm. There are extended hours to 8pm on a Tuesday and Friday and the practice also opens on Saturdays from 9am to 12.30pm and alternate Sundays from 9am to 12.30pm. On Bank holidays the practice is open from 10am to 1pm.

One of the practice owners 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.

We received feedback from 44 patients about the services provided. The feedback reflected positive comments about the staff and the services provided. Patients commented that the practice was clean and tidy and that they found the staff offered a friendly, helpful and professional service and were polite and caring. Patients said that explanations about their treatment were clear and that they were always informed of what was happening which made the dental experience as comfortable as possible. Patients who were nervous commented how the staff made them and their children feel at ease.

Our key findings were:

• 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.
• Infection control procedures were in place and staff had access to personal protective equipment.
• Patients’ care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines and current legislation.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum where possible.
• The practice opened two late nights as well as weekends.
• The practice was well-led and staff felt involved and worked as a team.
• Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available and accessible.
• Governance systems were effective and policies and procedures were regularly reviewed and updated.

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

• Adopt a system to ensure tests on the ultrasonic cleaner are completed quarterly.
• Review guidance in relation to Health and safety (sharp instruments in healthcare) regulations 2013.

People we spoke to said that they received care which met their needs and felt staff communicated with them well. They said that staff had been properly trained and were competent.They also said that they felt the practice was clean and that staff used personal protective equipment to ensure hygienic practice.