We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 17 March 2017 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

Grange Dental Practice is based in Mytholmroyd near Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire and provides mainly NHS with some private treatments to adults and children. They offer restorative and cosmetic treatments.

The practice is in a purposed built building with all facilities based on the ground floor. There is level access into and throughout. All patients can access with ease. Car parking is available outside the practice.

The dental team is comprised of five dentists, five dental nurses (three of who are trainees) and a cleaner.

The practice has three surgeries, a decontamination room, a waiting / reception area and a staff room/kitchen.

On the day of inspection we received seven CQC comment cards providing extremely positive feedback. The patients were complimentary about the care they received at the practice. They told us the staff were approachable, professional and caring.

The practice is open: Monday -Thursday 9am-5:30pm and Friday 9am-5:00pm.

The principal dentist 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..

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
• Infection control procedures were robust and the practice followed published guidance.
• Staff had been trained to handle medical emergencies and appropriate medicines and equipment were readily available in accordance with current guidelines.
• The practice had systems in place to manage risks, with the exception of lone working.
• Staff understood and received safeguarding training and 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.
• Treatment was well planned and provided in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs.
• The service was aware of the needs of the local population and took these into account in how the practice was run
• The practice was well-led and staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.
• Complaints were responded to in an efficient and responsive manner.
• Patients received information about their care, proposed treatment, costs, benefits, and risks and were involved in making decisions about it

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

• Review the protocol for completing accurate, complete and detailed records relating to employment of staff.
• Review the implementation of risk assessments for staff who are ‘lone working’.

During the visit, we spoke with the Principal Dentist, the Practice Manager (also a dentist), a dentist, a dental nurse and four people who used the service.

All the patients we spoke with told us the dentists discussed their treatment options and any associated costs with them and they always gave written consent prior to receiving any treatment. They also said they were very happy with the services provided and would recommend the practice to other people. Comments included ‘I’m very happy with all of them’, ‘It’s completely fine’, ‘I’m perfectly happy, no problems at all’ and ‘My dentist is really on the ball’.

Patients told us the practice always looked clean and tidy, staff used protective equipment such as gloves and masks and patients wore eye protectors and an apron during treatments. One person told us ‘It’s nice and clean and always smells clean’.

The patients we spoke with told us the staff at the surgery were friendly, polite and respectful. They all told us they had never had to make a complaint and had no concerns about the services they received.

The practice staff we spoke with told us they received appropriate training to their role and felt well-supported by their managers. Comments from the staff included:-

‘Everyone works as a team’,

‘I would recommend this practice to people, in fact I have done’,

‘I feel well-rewarded working here, the patients are all good’,

‘Everyone is very friendly’

‘Everything works fine’.