We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 5 October 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

St Catherines Dental Practice is a mixed dental practice providing private and NHS dental care for both adults and children. Where private treatment is provided some is provided under a fee per item basis and some under a dental insurance plan. The practice holds a contract to provide NHS orthodontic treatment and accepts referrals from other providers. The practice is situated in a converted domestic property.

The practice has three dental treatment rooms, one on the ground floor and two on the first floor. There is a separate decontamination room on the first floor where cleaning, sterilising and packing dental instruments takes place. There is also a reception and waiting area and other rooms used by the practice for office facilities and storage. The practice is open from 8.30am to 5.15pm Monday to Thursday and on Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

The practice has five dentists who are able to provide services including the provision of dental implants (a dental implant is a metal post that is placed surgically into the jaw bone to support a tooth, orthodontic treatment (where malpositioned teeth are repositioned to give a better appearance and improved function) and periodontal treatment, which is the treatment of gum disease. They are supported by five dental nurses, two of whom also carry out reception duties, a trainee dental nurse, a dental hygienist and a practice manager. Other staff include a dedicated receptionist.

One of the partners 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. The registered manager was supported in their role by the practice manager.

Before the inspection we sent Care Quality Commission comment cards to the practice for patients to complete to tell us about their experience. We received feedback from 46 patients. These provided a very positive view of the services the practice provides. Patients commented on the high quality of care, the caring and friendly nature of all staff, the cleanliness of the practice and the professionalism of all staff.

Our key findings were:

Staff reported incidents which were investigated and learning implemented to improve safety. However there was no log of significant events in place which would have helped to identify any themes or trends. The practice manager told us that they would implement a log and ensure all events were fully recorded at the outset to ensure it was clear what actions had been taken.

• The practice was visibly clean and well maintained.

• Infection control standards were in line with national guidance.

• The practice had available medicines and equipment for use in a medical emergency which were in accordance with national guidelines.

• Staff had received training appropriate to their roles and were supported in their continued professional development (CPD).

• Patients commented that they received excellent care, that staff went out of their way to help and were professional and that appointments were flexible.

• The practice had links with a local primary school and gave talks to promote oral health in children.

• The practice had suitable facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs, with the exception of the availability of a hearing loop.

• Governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the service. However the practice did not have a system in place to carry out audits of radiography at regular intervals. They planned to establish a system for this.

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

• Review the system for recording significant events to incorporate a log of significant events to help identify any themes or trends and clarify what actions had been taken.

• Review the practice’s audit protocols in respect of radiography to ensure audits are carried out at regular intervals to monitor and improve the quality of service.

• Review the availability of a hearing loop for patients with hearing difficulties.