We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 15 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

Lion House dental practice provides general dental treatment to both NHS and private patients. It is located within the market town of Richmond, North Yorkshire. The practice currently has four dental practitioners, one of which is a foundation dentist and each has their own surgery. There is a waiting room, a reception area and a decontamination room.

The dentists are supported by a dental hygienist, a dental hygiene therapist and seven dental nurses.

The practice is open:

Monday to Thursday 09:00– 17:00

Friday 09:00 – 16:00

On the day of inspection we received 29 CQC comment cards providing feedback and spoke to two patients. The patients who provided feedback were very positive about the care and attention to treatment they received at the practice. They told us they were involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be caring, respectful and professional and they were treated with dignity and respect in a clean and tidy environment.

Our key findings were:

• 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.
• Patients’ 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.
• There was a complaints system in place. Staff recorded complaints and cascaded learning to staff.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.

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

• Review where the practice complaints policy is displayed so patients can access the information easily.
• Review audits of various aspects of the service, such as radiography, infection prevention and control and dental care records, are undertaken at regular intervals to help improve the quality of service. The practice should also ensure all audits have documented learning points so the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.
• Review the practice's recruitment policy and procedures are suitable and the recruitment arrangements are in line with Schedule 3 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 to ensure necessary employment checks are in place for all staff and the required specified information in respect of persons employed by the practice is held.
• Review the practice’s sharps risk assessments giving due regard to the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.

People told us that they were consulted about the treatment options available to them and given information to help them make decisions about their treatment. People were given information about the cost of their treatment before it was started. Comments made by people who used the service included “I always know beforehand how much treatments are going to be.”

All the people we spoke with were very satisfied that they had received appropriate care, treatment and support. Comments included “The staff are really friendly and make you feel welcome”, “You never have to wait to be seen” and “I’m a nervous wreck when I go, but they always take time to help put me at ease”.

The practice was clean and tidy, and there were appropriate risk assessments in place to help ensure the practice was a safe environment for staff, patients and other visitors.

The provider undertook checks to make sure that as far as possible staff were safe and suitably qualified to work at the practice .Staff were registered with the appropriate professional council where required.

The practice had in place appropriate risk assessments and policies to help identify, assess and manage risks to the health, safety and welfare of people who used the service and others.