We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 16 September 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 owned and run by the registered provider. The practice is located at 4 Park Street, Hebburn, Tyne and Wear, NE3 2UL The registered provider also runs a dental practice at the Pelaw Dental Clinic, 1 Musgrave Terrace, Pelaw, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE10 0RH. Both practices provide primary care dental services under the NHS. Patients are able to attend either practice.

The practices are open as follows:

Hebburn Dental Clinic:

Monday, Tuesday and Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm

Wednesday and Thursday 8:30am to 5:30pm

Saturday 9:00am to 1:00pm (alternated with Pelaw Dental Clinic)

Pelaw Dental Clinic:

Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm

Saturday 9:00am to 1:00pm (alternated with Hebburn Dental Clinic)

Staff work at both practices. There are three dentists, three dental nurses, a trainee dental nurse and practice manager.

The owner of the practice is the registered provider for 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 also received 18 Care Quality Commission comment cards. All the comments were positive about the staff and the services provided. Comments included: they are always polite and friendly and always given excellent service.

Our key findings were:

• There was an effective complaints system. Staff recorded complaints and cascaded learning to staff.
• 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, 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.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs.
• The practice was well-led, 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 was an area where the provider could make improvements and should:

• The registered provider should consider ensuring that all dentists use rubber dams in accordance with guidance issued by the British Endodontic Society.

Surveys completed by people who received treatment at the surgery showed they 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 to be friendly and reported that they were treated with respect and their privacy was maintained.