We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 2 November 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

Redmires Dental Care is situated in the Lodge Moor area of Sheffield. It offers private dental treatment to adult patients and NHS dental treatment to children. They are a Denplan practice. Denplan is a UK insurance based dental plan specialist company where patients pay a monthly fee to cover dental treatments. The services provided include routine restorative dental care and preventative advice and treatment. The practice also accept referrals for endodontic treatment and dental implants.

The registered provider runs a money sharing agreement with another provider who works at the same premises. Each of the dentists are responsible for the staff who are employed and the general upkeep of the premises.

The practice has three surgeries, a decontamination room, a waiting area, a reception area and disabled toilet facilities. All facilities are on the ground floor of the premises. There is step free access to the premises.

There are three dentists, five dental nurses (who also cover reception duties), a hygiene therapist and a practice manager. They also have a specialist endodontist and a specialist oral surgeon who work on a part time basis.

The opening hours are Monday 8-30am to 6-00pm and Tuesday to Friday 8-30am to 5-00pm.

On the day of inspection 48 patients provided feedback. The patients were positive about the care and treatment they received at the practice. They told us they were treated with dignity and respect, informed of treatment options, were able to make appointments in a timely manner and were made to feel comfortable and relaxed.

Our key findings were:

• The practice had systems in place to assess and manage risks to patients and staff including infection prevention and control, health and safety and the management of medical emergencies.
• Staff received training appropriate to their roles.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Dental care records were detailed and showed that treatment was planned in line with current best practice guidelines.
• Oral health advice and treatment were provided in-line with the ‘Delivering Better Oral Health’ toolkit.
• Patients were treated with care, respect and dignity.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs.
• There were clearly defined leadership roles within the practice and staff told us that they felt supported, appreciated and comfortable to raise concerns or make suggestions. Staff received training appropriate to their roles.

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

• Update the recruitment policy to include all documents which are required before employing new staff members.
• Aim to obtain a signed consent form for all patients.
• Remove the fabric chairs in the surgeries.
• Monitor and record fridge temperatures if emergency medicines are to be stored in the fridge.
• Aim to complete patient satisfaction surveys every year.

We spoke privately with three people who were attending the practice for check ups or treatment. All three people told us that they were "very pleased" and "more than satisfied" with all aspects of the service. They told us that staff were "very friendly" and "professional". People told us they had "no grounds for complaint". Everyone commented on the cleanliness of the practice. They said they regularly saw staff making sure that the surgery was clean, tidy and hygienic.