We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 12 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.

Lyme Dental Practice is located in the market town of Newcastle-Under-Lyme Staffordshire. The premises consists of seven treatment rooms and a dedicated decontamination room. There are also toilet facilities, waiting areas, a reception area, an administrative office and a staff room. The practice is open; Monday and Wednesday from 9am to 8pm, Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 6pm, Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 8:30am to 1pm.

The practice provides NHS and private dental services and treats both adults and children. The practice offers routine dental examinations and treatment and oral hygiene. The practice staffing consists of a practice manager, seven associate dentists, ten qualified dental nurses one of whom has a dual role as a receptionist, one trainee dental nurses who also works as a receptionist, a dental hygienist, a dental therapist, three receptionists and a dedicated cleaner.

The practice manager is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.

We carried out an announced, comprehensive inspection on 12 August 2015. The inspection took place over one day and was carried out by a CQC inspector and a dentist specialist advisor.

Seven patients provided feedback about the service. Patients we spoke with, and those who completed comment cards, had commented positively about the staff and their experience of being treated at the practice.

The practice was providing care which was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Our key findings were:

• The practice recorded and analysed significant events and complaints and cascaded learning to staff.

• Staff had received formal 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 appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available.

• Infection control procedures were in place and the practice followed published guidance.

• Patient’s care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines, best practice and current legislation.

• 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 the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.

• There was an effective complaints system.

• The practice was well-led and staff felt involved and worked as a team.

• Governance systems were effective and there was a range of clinical and non-clinical audits to monitor the quality of services.

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

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

• Ensure that all staff are familiar with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 so they know how to obtain professional support where necessary for a patient who could not give informed consent to treatment and whose carer may not make decisions in their best interest.