We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 22 July 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

Pennine Dental and Medical Care provides private, general dental services to patients of all ages. The team at the practice is led by a dental therapist. Dental therapists are registered dental professionals who carry out certain items of dental treatment direct to patients or under prescription from a dentist. Subject to their training, competence and indemnity, dental treatments can include obtaining a detailed dental history, carrying out a clinical examination (within their competence), periodontal examinations, providing preventive oral care to patients and liaising with dentists over the treatment of caries, periodontal disease and tooth wear.

The practice also employs a dentist, dental nurse and receptionist.

The practice is open Monday to Friday 8.00am to 4.30pm (closed for lunch 1-2pm).

The practice is housed on the ground floor of a converted house. There is one treatment room, a reception/patient waiting area and a dedicated room where reusable dental instruments are washed and sterilised (a process known as decontamination). The practice is accessible to patients with restricted mobility as treatment can be carried out in the ground floor treatment room.

Forty five people provided feedback about the service. All patients commented positively about the care and treatment they had received and the friendly, polite and professional staff. A number of patients commented on the discussions they had with the dental therapist about their care and treatment; and about how they felt listened to and were made to feel relaxed.

Our key findings were:

• Where mistakes had been made patients were notified about the outcome of any investigation and given a suitable apology.
• There was promotion of patient education to ensure good oral health.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients, and waiting times were kept to a minimum.
• The practice had an accessible and visible leadership team. Staff told us that they felt supported by the dental therapist.

• The practice provided a clean, well equipped environment. However, we noted that the practice’s process for cleaning and sterilising reusable dental instruments was not consistent with Department of Health guidance.

Governance systems were effective and there were 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.
• The practice had a systematic programme in place for auditing quality and safety including mandatory audits for infection control and radiography; but also additional audits for clinical note taking and health and safety.

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

Review the practice’s infection control procedures and protocols giving due regard to guidelines issued by the Department of Health - Health Technical Memorandum

01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices and The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance’