We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 20 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

Streetly Smiles Dental Care is a dental practice providing general dental services on a private basis. The service is provided by one dentist and a dental hygienist. They are supported by three dental nurses and a receptionist. All of the dental nurses also carry out reception duties.

The practice is located on a main road near local amenities and bus routes. There is wheelchair access to the practice and car parking facilities. The premises consist of a reception area, a separate waiting room, two treatment rooms, a decontamination room, two storage rooms and toilet facilities on the ground floor. The first floor was for staff access only and comprised of two staff rooms, further storage and toilet facilities. The practice opened at 8:30am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and at 10am on Wednesdays. Closing times varied between 12:30pm and 7pm. The practice also opened on one Saturday per month between 9am and 1pm.

The principal dentist and one other dentist (who does not work at this practice) are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as a partnership. The principal dentist is also the registered manager. 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.

Twelve patients provided feedback about the practice. We looked at comment cards patients had completed prior to the inspection and we also spoke with patients. The information from patients was very complimentary. Patients were positive about their experience and they commented that staff were friendly and welcoming.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was organised and appeared clean and tidy on the day of our visit.
• Patients told us they found the staff welcoming and friendly. Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed.
• An infection prevention and control policy was in place. We saw the decontamination procedures followed recommended guidance.
• The practice had systems to assess and manage risks to patients, including health and safety, safeguarding, safe staff recruitment and the management of medical emergencies. We identified some necessary improvements.
• Dental professionals provided treatment in accordance with current professional guidelines.
• Staff received training appropriate to their roles.
• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties, and equipment was well maintained.
• The practice had an effective complaints system in place and there was an openness and transparency in how these were dealt with.
• Staff told us they felt well supported and comfortable to raise concerns or make suggestions.
• Practice meetings were used for shared learning.
• The practice demonstrated that they had recently completed audits in infection control, radiography and dental care record keeping. However, some of these audits had historically been overlooked.

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

• Review the flooring in one treatment room and consider replacing it with a smooth impervious covering with coving as part of their future refurbishment programme.
• Review the practice’s arrangements for receiving and responding to patient safety alerts, recalls and rapid response reports issued by the relevant agencies. Staff should also review the system for the recording, investigating and reviewing incidents or significant events with a view to preventing further occurrences and ensuring that improvements are made as a result.
• Review their recruitment policy and ensure they consistently follow it for all staff members.
• Review the availability of an interpreter service for patients who do not speak English as their first language.
• Review stocks of medicines and equipment and the system for identifying and disposing of expired stock. They should also ensure they carry out regular checks of the equipment as frequently as defined by current guidance.