We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 16 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 practice is owned and run by the registered provider. The practice is located at 1 Musgrave Terrace, Pelaw, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE10 0RH. The registered provider also runs a dental practice at the Hebburn Dental Clinic, 4 Park Street, Hebburn, Tyne and Wear, NE3 2UL. Both practices provide primary care dental services under the NHS. Patients are able to attend either practice.

The practices are open as follows:

Pelaw Dental Clinic:

Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm

Saturday 9:00am to 1:00pm (alternated with Hebburn Dental Clinic)

Hebburn Dental Clinic:

Monday, Tuesday and Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm

Wednesday and Thursday 8:30am to 5:30pm

Saturday 9:00am to 1:00pm (alternated with Pelaw Dental Clinic)

Staff work at both practices. There are three dentists, three dental nurses, a trainee dental nurse and practice manager.

The owner of the practice is the registered provider for the practice. 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 also received 22 Care Quality Commission comment cards. All the comments were positive about the staff and the services provided. Comments included: they are always polite and friendly and always given excellent service.

Our key findings were:

• There was an effective complaints system. Staff recorded complaints and cascaded learning to staff.
• Staff had received safeguarding training, knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report it.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to manage medical emergencies.
• Infection control procedures were in accordance with the published guidelines.
• Patient care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines, best practice and current regulations.
• 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 patients’ needs.
• The practice was well-led, staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The governance systems were effective.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.

We found the dental surgeries were laid out in accordance with the best practice guidance. We saw all surfaces were clean and the rooms were tidy with no clutter. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was available for staff to use when carrying out dental procedures and decontamination processes.

We found the surgery was accessible to people with a disability as the entrance was level with the street. We saw there were two dental surgeries, a patient waiting room and toilet all on the ground floor.

We asked to look at various documents, including patient records, infection control policies, audits and staff records. All documents were provided immediately on request.