We carried out this announced inspection on 10 May 2017 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.

We told the NHS England area team and Healthwatch that we were inspecting the practice. They provided information about the practice facilities which we took into account.

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

Rawmarsh Dental Practice is in Rotherham, South Yorkshire and provides NHS and occasional private treatment to adults and children.

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

The dental team includes two dentists, three dental nurses, one dental hygienist, one receptionist and a practice manager. The practice has two treatment rooms.

The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.

On the day of inspection we collected 12 CQC comment cards filled in by patients. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.

During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, one dental nurse, one 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 to Friday 9:15am – 5:15pm

Our key findings were:

• The practice was clean and well maintained.
• The practice 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.
• The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• The practice had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs.
• The practice had effective leadership. Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.

We identified an area of notable practice.

We noted the practice infection prevention and control process was robust and methodically carried out. They responded proactively to incidents relating to the infection control process and implemented change for improvement. The practice regularly audited their infection prevention and control methods, using continuous monitoring and assurance techniques to confirm a safe and effective process was being delivered. The practice infection prevention and control education and training programme was systematic and embedded.

This was deemed notable practice, as it showed a commitment to infection prevention and control and the overall wellbeing of the people who use the service.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Review the practice’s protocols for the use of rubber dam for root canal treatment giving due regard to guidelines issued by the British Endodontic Society.

We spoke with five patients and looked at the views of patients on the NHS Choices web site. Patients we spoke with told us that they were very satisfied with the treatment provided at the practice. They said they had used the practice for a number of years. They told us they felt involved in discussions about their treatment. One patient said “I have been coming to this practice for thirty years if I was not satisfied I would not keep coming back.

Patients told us waiting times were kept to a minimum and that was important to them. Another patient said "The dentist is excellent. I would recommend them to anyone." "The dentist always checks my medical history is up to date before they commence treatment."

There were effective systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. Patients said "The practice is always clean" and "Staff always wear protective clothing and offer me protective glasses. I always see the same dentist and if needed I can get an appointment at short notice."

Patients received treatment from suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff. Appropriate checks had been undertaken before staff began work.

The practice had processes in place to monitor patients’ views about the service offered. Patients told us they had never had cause to complain about the service they had received. We found that the provider had systems in place to monitor the quality of service that people received.