We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 8 October 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 provides primary care dental services under the NHS to patient in Gateshead.

The practice is open for making appointments: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

There a dentist, five dental nurses and a hygienist/practice manager.

The registered provider, the dentist is the owner of the practice. 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 11 Care Quality Commission comment cards. All the comments were positive about the staff and the services provided.

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 and 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.

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

• Should consider using rubber dams in accordance with guidance issued by the British Endodontic Society.
• Ensure that they follow the guidance issued by the Faculty of General Dental Practice when taking X-ray including routinely using a rectangular collimator, and taking X-rays in accordance with the frequency periods they advise.
• Ensure that legionella risk assessments are undertaken in accordance with recommended frequencies.
• Ensure that there is a lone working policy in place.

People that were spoken with were happy with the service provided. They felt they were given enough information about their treatment options and the relevant fees and were able to ask all the questions they wanted to.

They found the staff friendly and said they were treated with respect and their privacy was maintained.