We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 28 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 London Road Dental Practice-Sheffield is situated close to Sheffield city centre. It offers mainly NHS treatment to patients of all ages but also offers private dental treatments. The services include preventative advice, treatment and routine restorative dental care. Treatment and waiting rooms are on the ground and first floor of the premises.

The practice has five surgeries, a decontamination room, an X-ray room, two waiting areas and a reception area.

There are five dentists, a locum dentist currently covering maternity leave, a dental hygienist, six dental nurses, two receptionists and a practice manager.

The opening hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 9-00am to 5-15pm, Tuesday 9-00am to 7-15pm and Friday 9-00am to 5-00pm.

The practice manager is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person 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.

During the inspection we spoke with three patients who used the service and reviewed two completed CQC comment cards. Patients we spoke with and those who completed comment cards were positive about the care they received about the service.

Our key findings were:

• The practice had systems in place to assess and manage risks to patients and staff including infection prevention and control, health and safety and the management of medical emergencies.
• Patients were involved in making decisions about their treatment and were given clear explanations about their proposed treatment including costs, benefits and risks.
• Oral health advice and treatment were provided in-line with the ‘Delivering Better Oral Health’ toolkit (DBOH).
• Patients told us they were treated with kindness and respect by staff. Staff ensured there was sufficient time to explain fully the care and treatment they were providing in a way patients understood. Patients commented they felt involved in their treatment and that it was fully explained to them.
• Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed.
• The practice had a complaints system in place and there was an openness and transparency in how these were dealt with.
• There were clearly defined leadership roles within the practice and staff told us that they felt supported, appreciated and comfortable to raise concerns or make suggestions. Staff received training appropriate to their roles.

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

• Take action to repair the damage to upholstery of the chair which the dentist sits on in surgery 5.
• Repair or replace the lock on the clinical waste bin outside.
• Improve the process for the safe storage of certificates relating to the servicing of equipment.
• Make sure that all audits have action plans documented.