We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 18 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

Mydentist - Burgh Road – Aylsham is a mixed dental practice providing both NHS and private treatment to children and adults. It has a standard NHS contract and offers general dentistry services to about 15,000 patients living primarily in the Aylsham and North Walsham areas.

The practice employs two full-time, one part-time and one locum dentist. They are supported by four dental nurses. There are also three dental hygienists who provide preventative advice and gum treatments. The practice has a full time practice manager 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.

The practice has four dental treatment rooms and one decontamination room for cleaning, sterilising and packing dental instruments.

We spoke with six patients and also received 26 comments cards that had been completed by patients prior to our inspection. We received many positive comments about the practice and its staff. People told us it was easy to get an appointment and that reception staff were friendly and helpful. One person told us they had been given excellent advice about oral hygiene that they now practiced. Three people told us that dental staff were empathetic to their nervousness about attending the dentist and two people commented that staff worked well with their children.

Our key findings were:

• Staff had received safeguarding training and knew the processes to follow to raise any concerns.

• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.

• Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies and emergency medicines and emergency equipment was readily available.

• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered in line with current guidance such as that from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and other published guidance.

• Staff felt involved and worked as a team and clear governance systems were in place.

• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.

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

• Appoint a safeguarding lead within the practice.

• Review infection control procedures so that ultrasonic cleaners are not over filled with dirty instruments and cleaning of spittoons and hard to reach areas is improved .

• Provide staff with robust knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and its implications for treating patients who cannot make decisions for themselves.

• Provide staff with equalities and diversity training to ensure they have a good knowledge of protected characteristics and particular groups who are covered against discrimination.

• Review why rates of X-rays taken are well below the national average.