We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 10 August 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

Skellow Dental Practice is situated in Skellow and is approximately six miles from Doncaster. The practice is split between two separate buildings next door but one to each other on a high street amongst a small shopping parade. The main two story building comprises of three treatment rooms, a decontamination room, a reception and waiting area and has disabled access and accessible toilet facilities. There was also an Orthopantomogram (OPG) machine located in a room also used as a staff kitchen area and had OPG processing equipment (an OPG machine produces a panoramic scanning dental X-ray of the upper and lower jaw).

The other side of the practice is a single story building containing one treatment room, a waiting area and the practice manager’s office with a small kitchen area and staff toilet.

There are three dentists, one foundation dentist, two dental hygiene therapists, and a visiting implant specialist, five dental nurses, two receptionists and a practice manager who also works as a dental nurse if required. The practice provides NHS and private dental treatments.

The practice is open:

Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 09:00 to 18:00

Tuesday 09:00 to 19:00

Friday 09:00 to 17:00

Saturday 09:00 to 12:00.

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.

On the day of inspection we received 10 CQC comment cards providing feedback. The patients who provided feedback were very positive about the care and attention to treatment they received at the practice. They told us they were involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be a helpful, the practice had a happy environment; staff were friendly and communicated well. Patients commented they could access emergency care easily and they were treated with dignity and respect in a clean and tidy environment.

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and hygienic.
• Staff had received safeguarding training, knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report it. They had systems in place to work closely and share information with the local safeguarding team.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to manage medical emergencies.
• 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.
• There was a complaints system in place. Staff recorded complaints and cascaded learning to staff.
• The governance systems were effective.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services.

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

• Review the risks associated with transport of contaminated instruments outside the healthcare premises taking into account guidelines issued by the Department of Health - Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices and The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance’
• Review the practice’s decontamination equipment daily maintenance processes giving due regard manufacturer’s instructions and to guidelines issued by the Department of Health – Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices and The Health and Social Care Act 2008:’Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infection and related guidance in regards to validation of equipment.
• Review the suitability of the premises and ensure all parts are fit for purpose for which they are being used.

We spoke with two people who used the service on the day of the inspection and spoke by telephone with two others. Everyone we spoke with gave positive feedback about the care that they received. People’s views and experiences were taken into account in the way the service was provided and delivered in relation to their care.

People said their treatment was explained to them. They also said staff were friendly and professional. One person said, "The dentist is excellent."

Another person said, “The dentist I see is fantastic.”

People experienced care, treatment and support that met their needs and protected their rights.

Everyone we spoke with said the dentists explained everything and always discussed their options for treatment.

People were cared for by staff who were supported to deliver care and treatment safely and to an appropriate standard.

They told us that all of the staff came across as friendly, professional and well trained.

We found that people were protected from the risk of infection because appropriate guidance had been followed.

We also found that the provider had an effective system in place to identify, assess and manage risks to the health, safety and welfare of people who used the service and others.