We carried out this announced inspection on 11 April 2019 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We planned the inspection to check whether the registered provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it caring?

• Is it responsive to people’s needs?

• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

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 - Newland Avenue - Hull provides NHS and private treatment to adults and children.

There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.

The dental team includes six dentists, 10 dental nurses (two of whom are trainees), two dental hygiene therapists, a head receptionist and a practice manager. The practice has six treatment rooms.

The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the Care Quality Commission as the registered manager. Registered managers 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 registered manager at Mydentist - Newland Avenue - Hull is the practice manager.

On the day of inspection, we collected four CQC comment cards filled in by patients.

During the inspection we spoke with four dentists, two dental nurses, one dental hygiene therapist, the head receptionist and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00am to 6:00pm

Wednesday from 8:00am to 7:00pm

Friday from 8:00am to 5:30pm

Saturday from 8:30am to 1:00pm

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
• The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• The provider had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The provider had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• The practice was proactive in promoting oral health within the practice and the wider community.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• Staff were providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• The provider had effective leadership and culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
• The provider had suitable information governance arrangements.

People told us they were asked for their consent prior to dental treatment. We found records confirmed consent was obtained. Comments included, “Yes I have signed all the consent forms” and “They explain things and ask if that is all right.”

People said they were happy with the dental treatment provided by the practice. They said they were offered a range of options and provided with explanations about the treatment. Comments included, “This is my first visit. The dentist gave me a full examination and explained what I needed doing; I’m just waiting to have my treatment done now.”

We found the practice to be clean and tidy with appropriate infection prevention and control measures in place. People who used the service told us they saw staff wearing gloves and other protective equipment.

We found staff had access to training and there were support systems in place.

We found people were able to express their views about the practice, complaints were managed appropriately and checks were made to ensure the practice was safe and well-run.