We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 12 August 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 an individual. They run the practice from Suite 2, Quayside House, Wylam Wharf, Low Street, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR1 2AD. They also have a branch at 48a Osborne Road, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 2AL. The practice provides cosmetic dentistry and primary care dental services to private patients.

The locations are open as follows:

Suite 2, Quayside House, Wylam Wharf, Low Street, Sunderland, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Late night and Saturday appointments are available by appointment only.

For 48a Osborne Road, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, appointments are by appointment only on Wednesday from 10am to 4pm.

Between the locations there are two dentists, four dental nurses, a hygienist and a receptionist.

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 12 Care Quality Commission (CQC) comment cards. All the comments were positive about the staff and the services provided.

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.
• Most 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 and staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• Most governance systems were effective.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.
• The practice manager was in the process of registering with the CQC as the registered manager for the practice.

During this visit we were unable to speak to people who use the services at Riveredge cosmetic dental surgery. We however noted comments in completed questionnaires and from the providers website which included, “I am so very grateful for what you have done for me” and ‘I’ve been coming here since they opened twelve years ago, I can’t imagine changing dentists.’