We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 6 August 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

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 6 August 2015 at Monkmoor Dental Practice.

Dental services have been provided from the location for a number of years, the current provider has provided services at the practice since April 2014.

The practice provides dental care and treatment to registered patients Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 5:30pm and Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 7pm. At the time of the inspection the practice has around 6,600 registered patients the majority of whom are NHS funded. The practice has three dentists working a variety of clinical sessions over a week. A dental hygienist/therapist and four qualified dental nurses complete the clinical team. The practice manager is a qualified dental nurse who splits their time between this and another practice owned by the principal dentist. There are also two trainee dental nurses employed, both undergoing recognised training leading to professional registration. A receptionist and cleaner assist in maintaining the day to day running of the practice.

The principal dentist is the registered provider. A registered provider is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered providers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

Twenty patients provided feedback about the practice. All the feedback we received from patients was positive, including access to appointments, their care and treatment and all made complimentary remarks about their overall experience of the practice.

Our key findings were:

• Patients told us that their care and treatment was explained and they felt involved in decisions about their treatment.
• The appointments system met the needs of patients.
• The practice had effective infection control procedures.
• Patients received clear explanations and written information about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about them.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.

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

• Provide all staff with recognised training in safeguarding children to the level suggested in the intercollegiate guidance by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health on safeguarding children and young people (March 2014).