We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 15 March 2016 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

Park Dental Practice is located in a residential suburb and comprises a reception, waiting room and office on the ground floor, and a treatment room, a decontamination room and storage and staff room on the first floor. Parking is available on nearby streets and car parks. The practice is accessible to patients with disabilities and impaired mobility but not to wheelchair users.

The practice provides general dental treatment on a private basis to patients of all ages.

The practice is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 9.00am to 5.30pm, Tuesday 9.00am to 5.00pm, and Friday 8.00am to 3.00pm. The practice is closed for lunch between 1.00pm and 2.00pm.

The practice is staffed by one dentist, a receptionist, and three dental nurses, one of whom is a trainee, and another of whom is a dental nurse / receptionist.

The principal dentist 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.

We received feedback from 39 people about the services provided. Every comment was positive about the staff and the service. Patients commented that the practice was clean and hygienic and they found the staff welcoming, friendly, and caring. They had trust in the staff and confidence in the dental treatments and said that they were always given clear, detailed and understandable explanations about dental treatment. Several patients commented that the team were efficient and worked well together and that the dentist had high standards of professionalism, put patients at ease and listened carefully. Patients commented that they would highly recommend the practice to anyone.

Our key findings were:

• The practice recorded and analysed significant events and incidents and received and acted on safety alerts.
• Staff had received safeguarding training and were fully familiar with the process 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 equipment were available.
• Premises and equipment were clean, secure and properly maintained.
• Infection control procedures were in place and the practice followed current guidance.
• Patients’ needs were assessed and care and treatment were delivered in accordance with current legislation, standards and guidance.
• Patients received explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Staff were supported to deliver effective care, and opportunities for training and learning were available.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and their confidentiality was maintained.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients.
• Services were planned and delivered to meet the needs of patients and reasonable adjustments were made to enable patients to receive their care and treatment.
• The practice had a formal system in place for obtaining feedback from patients, and staff were able to feedback informally at any time.
• Staff were supervised, felt involved and worked as a team.
• Governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the practice and the practice had a structured plan in place to audit quality and safety.

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

• Review the practice’s sharps risk assessment and procedures having due regard to the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.
• Review the practice’s procedures and protocol for maintaining accurate, complete and detailed records relating to the employment of staff and ensure the required specified information in respect of all persons employed by the practice is held.
• Review the practice’s complaint handling procedures to ensure details are provided in the practice leaflet and on the practice website as to further steps people can take should they be dis-satisfied with the outcome of their complaint.

During the inspection, we spoke with two people who use the service. They told us the dentist clearly explained the treatments offered and they were asked for written consent prior to receiving any treatment.

The people we spoke with told us they were very happy with the services provided. They told us they never had any problems getting an appointment and were seen promptly if they needed emergency treatment.

We found that people were asked for consent and the provider acted in accordance with people’s wishes. People who use the service received care in a way that met their needs and preferences.

We found the environment and equipment in the practice to be clean, safe and well maintained. The people we spoke with told us they did not have any concerns about the cleanliness of the premises or the dental equipment and instruments.

We found there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people’s needs. The people we spoke with told us the dental staff were very helpful and friendly.

There was an effective complaints system available, in case anyone wished to raise a complaint. The people we spoke with told us they had no concerns about the services they received and would speak to the dentist if they had any concerns.