We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 14 October 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 by Princes Street Dental Practice Limited. The practice is located at Hedley House, Princes Street, Corbridge, Northumberland, NE45 5DQ.

The practice is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm.

There are two dentists, four dental nurses and a practice manager /hygienist/dental therapist.

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 received feedback from patients about the service via 39 Care Quality Commission comment cards. All the comments were positive about the staff and the services provided. Comments included: staff are very friendly and professional, caring, efficient and excellent service.

Our key findings were:

• There was an effective complaints system.
• 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 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.
• Patients could access routine treatment and urgent care when required.
• 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.

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

• Ensure that the frequency of X-ray audits are undertaken in accordance with the Faculty of General Dental Practice guidelines.
• Ensure that they follow the guidance issued by the Faculty of General Dental Practice when taking X-rays by routinely using a rectangular collimator.
• Review availability of equipment to manage medical emergencies giving due regard to guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK), and the General Dental Council (GDC) standards for the dental team.

The practice manager told us that the dentist's always explained the treatment patients

needed, and talked to them about the options available to them and how much it would

cost.

The practice manager told us they had to think about more than just the person's oral

health when advising them about possible treatments. She said that people's lifestyle,

family commitments, work pressures and level of anxiety also needed to be taken into

account.

The dentist explained that the practice understood the importance of treating people in a caring and respectful way. The dentist showed us how they used diagrams, charts and leaflets to help explain people's treatment.

One patient we spoke with briefly said the treatment and support at the practice was

excellent.

The practice manager told us that the practice had linked all their policies and procedures to the relevant essential standard outcomes. She said that they had followed the guidance provided by CQC and the British Dental Association.

The dental nurse told us that she had been fully trained in all aspect of infection control

and the practices decontamination process.

The dental surgeon said he had been fully trained to administer emergency medication.

We spoke with the practice manager and dental surgeon who told us about how the

practice supported staff through training and supervision to make sure they were working to the best clinical guidelines for their professions. They also explained the systems that the practice had in place to check quality and to manage risks.