We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 19 July 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

The Village Dental Practice is located close to the centre of Culcheth and comprises a reception and waiting room, three treatment rooms, a decontamination room, storage and staff rooms. Parking is available outside the practice. The practice is accessible to patients with disabilities, impaired mobility and to wheelchair users.

The practice provides general dental treatment to patients on an NHS or privately funded basis. The opening times are Monday to Wednesday 8.30am to 5.00pm, Thursday 9.00am to 5.00pm and Friday 8.30am to 4.00pm. The practice is staffed by a practice manager, a principal dentist, two associate dentists, a dental therapist, a dental hygienist, four dental nurses, one of whom is a trainee, and a receptionist.

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.

We received feedback from 30 people during the inspection about the services provided. Patients commented that they found the practice exemplary and that staff were welcoming, friendly kind and caring. Several patients commented that staff go out of their way to help. Patients commented that they were always given good and helpful explanations about dental treatment and that the dentists listened to them. Patients reported 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 process 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, and emergency medicines and equipment were available.
• The premises and equipment were clean, secure and well maintained.
• Infection control procedures were in place and the practice followed current guidelines.
• 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 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 into account patient feedback.
• 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.
• Infection control procedures were in place.

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

• Review the practice’s infection control procedures and protocols having due regard 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 infections and related guidance, in relation to the storage of instruments and the security of the decontamination room.
• Review the storage of paper dental care records to ensure that all items are stored securely.

We spoke to patients who were visiting the practice during our visit. They said that they had no complaints and they were happy with the service provided.

Patients told us they were given various information about their treatment and knew what to expect. They commented that they felt the level of service was “excellent “ and “top notch” One person said “ I have been coming here for some time and the staff are even supporting me with the fact that I have given up smoking.”

They stated they were always consulted and they gave full consent about their treatment and check ups and were aware of their costs. They told us there was always a dental nurse assisting the dentist and they could ask as many questions as they wanted about their care.

The patients we spoke to told us that the care they experienced was “very good” and that they had no problems. They told us they were happy with the level of service and care offered and that they were offered advice and good tips regarding health promotion. They said that they had no complaints and that the service from all staff was excellent. Patients told us they felt safe and well looked after when they visited the service.

We asked about the practices complaints procedures and one patient told us that if they had any concerns they would speak to the staff.