We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 9 February 2017 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

South Cave Dental Surgery is located in South Cave, Brough and provides NHS and private treatment to adults and children.

Wheelchair users or pushchairs can access the practice via a portable ramp directly in to one of the surgeries if required. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.

The dental team is comprised of nine dentists (including the principal dentist), 15 dental nurses (two of which are trainees and 12 also share responsibilities on reception), 3 dental hygienists, 2 dental hygiene therapists, a receptionist and two practice managers.

The practice has a reception area, six surgeries, four waiting areas, a shared decontamination room for sterilising dental instruments and an Orthopantomogram (OPG), a staff room/kitchen and a general office.

On the day of inspection we received 37 CQC comment cards providing feedback and we spoke with five patients. The patients who provided feedback were very positive about the care and attention to treatment they received at the practice. They felt involved in all aspects of their care and found staff to be caring, compassionate, friendly and the treatment completed with patience and care. They mentioned staff had good communication skills, were efficient and they were treated with dignity and respect in a clean and tidy environment. Patients also commented they could access emergency care easily.

The practice is open:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 9am - 6pm

Tuesday & Thursday: 9am - 6:30pm

Saturday: 9am - 12.30pm

One of the practice managers is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
• Infection control procedures were robust and the practice followed published guidance.
• Staff had been trained to handle emergencies and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available in accordance with current guidelines.
• The practice had systems in place to manage risks.
• Staff had received safeguarding training and 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.
• Treatment was well planned and provided in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs.
• The service was aware of the needs of the local population and took these into account in how the practice was run
• The practice was well-led and staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.
• Complaints were responded to in an efficient and responsive manner.

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

• Review the practice's recruitment policy and procedures to ensure they are suitable in regards to immunisation status information and the recruitment arrangements are in line with Schedule 3 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.
• Review the location of the emergency drugs and equipment so they are all easily accessible.
• Review the storage of prescription pads and prescription only medicines in the practice and ensure there are systems in place to monitor and track their use.
• Review the practice audit protocols to document learning points that are shared with all relevant staff and ensure that the resulting improvements can be demonstrated as part of the audit process.

South Cave Dental Surgery was a large practice with eleven dentists, six dental hygienists, fourteen dental nurses and one receptionist. We were able to speak with the two practice managers, the lead dental nurse and one dentist during our visit. We also spoke with two patients who attended for an appointment.

The patients who spoke with us told us that they were very happy with the care and treatment they received and they had confidence in the staff. One person told us “I have been coming to the service for about two years. The staff are very friendly and I get good care from the dentist.”

We found the environment to be clean, tidy and organised. We saw there were appropriate policies and procedures in place for the control of infection.

The practice managers said the dental staff worked together well as a team and they managed to discuss any issues that may have been raised during the working day. The dental staff said that they were supported by the dentists and they were able to access training as and when they needed to.

The practice managers told us they were aware of the procedures to follow if they had any concerns about child protection issues or abuse of vulnerable patients. The patients said that they were aware of the complaints process. They were confident that if they did have any concerns they would be able to raise them and that they would be dealt with appropriately.