We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 15 December 2016 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

Sankey Street Dental Practice is located in the centre of Warrington. The practice is located on the two upper floors of the premises accessed by a flight of stairs. The practice reception, a waiting room and two treatment rooms are located on the first floor and a further waiting room and a treatment room are located on the second floor. Parking is available in nearby car parks. The practice is accessible to patients with disabilities and limited mobility, but access is difficult for wheelchair users. The provider has been providing a dental service at these premises since 2014.

The practice provides general dental treatment to patients on an NHS or privately funded basis. The opening times are Monday to Thursday 8.50am to 5.30pm and Friday 8.50am to 4.30pm. The practice is staffed by a principal dentist, who is the provider, a practice manager, an associate dentist, a Foundation dentist, a dental hygienist, four dental nurses, three of whom are trainees, and a receptionist.

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission as an individual. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. 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 47 people during the inspection about the services provided. Patients commented that they found the practice well-run and efficient, and that staff were professional, friendly, and caring. They said that they were always given good and helpful explanations about dental treatment, and that the dentists listened to them. Patients commented that the practice was clean and comfortable.

Our key findings were:

• The practice had procedures in place to record and analyse significant events and incidents.
• Staff had received safeguarding training, and knew the processes to follow to raise concerns.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified and skilled staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies. Most items of emergency medicines and equipment were available. The provider immediately ordered the missing items.
• The premises and equipment were clean, secure and well maintained.
• Staff followed current infection control guidelines for decontaminating and sterilising equipment.
• Patients’ needs were assessed, and care and treatment were delivered, in accordance with current legislation, standards, and guidance.
• Patients received information about their care, proposed treatment, costs, benefits, and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Staff were supported to deliver effective care, and opportunities for training and learning were readily available.
• Patients were treated with kindness, dignity, and respect, and their confidentiality was maintained.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients, and emergency appointments were available.
• Services were planned and delivered to meet the needs of patients, and reasonable adjustments were made to enable patients to receive their care and treatment.
• The practice gathered the views of patients and took their views into account.
• Staff were supervised, felt involved, and worked as a team.
• Governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the practice, and for the delivery of high quality person centred care.

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

• Review the practice's recruitment policy and procedures to ensure references for new staff are requested and recorded suitably.
• Introduce a procedure to ensure all the recommended equipment to manage medical emergencies is available in the practice having due regard to guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council UK, and the General Dental Council standards for the dental team.