We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 21 July 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

Griffin Dental Practice, Hull, Humberside is a NHS dental practice. The practice offers dental treatments including preventative advice and general dentistry.

The practice has three surgeries, all on the ground floor, a sterilisation room, a decontamination room, two waiting areas, a shared reception area and patient toilets. There are staff facilities on the second floor of the premises.

There are three dentists, one dental hygienist, five dental nurses (one of which is a trainee) and a practice manager.

The opening hours are:

Monday – Thursday 08:30 – 13:00 14:00 – 17:00 and Friday 08:30 – 15:30.

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual registered person. 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.

During the inspection we received feedback from 26 patients. The patients were positive about the care and treatment they received at the practice and they told us they were involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be very attentive, considerate, caring and they provide a high standard of care and were always treated with dignity and respect.

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and hygienic.
• Staff had received safeguarding training, knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report it. They had very good systems in place to work closely and share information with the local safeguarding team.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to manage medical emergencies.
• Patient care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines, best practice 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.
• There was a complaints system in place. Staff recorded complaints and cascaded learning to staff.
• The governance systems were effective.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services. There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients.

Patients confirmed that they completed consent forms prior to any treatment. Comments included, “They explain the best options and leave the final decision to you” and “You always fill in a medical history form and a consent form.”

Patients spoken with were complimentary about the dental staff. They said they were treated with respect and were happy with the service they received. Patients told us they were involved in planning and deciding their treatment. They said that options were explained to them and the final decision left to them. One person said, “They put me at my ease – they don’t lecture and they don’t judge.”

Patients spoken with told us they had seen staff wearing aprons, visors and gloves. They also confirmed they were provided with a clothes protector and visors during treatment.

Patients said the surgery was always clean and tidy.