We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 18 January 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

Warren House Dental Care is situated in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. The practice offers dental treatment to patients on an NHS or privately funded basis. The services include preventative advice and treatment, routine restorative dental care and dental implants.

The practice has five surgeries, a decontamination room, a waiting area and a reception area. The reception area, waiting area and two surgeries are on the ground floor. The other three surgeries and the decontamination room are on the first floor. There are staff facilities on the second floor.

There are two principal dentists, three associate dentists, one dental hygienist, six dental nurses (two of whom are trainees) and a domestic cleaner. The dental nurses also cover reception duties.

The opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9-00am to 5-30pm.

One of the principal dentists is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual. 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.

During the inspection we received feedback from 34 patients. The patients were positive about the care and treatment they received at the practice. Comments included staff were friendly, pleasant and efficient. They also commented that the dentists discuss treatment options very well and the practice is clean and hygienic.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was visibly clean and uncluttered.
• Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies. Most items of emergency medicines and equipment were available. The registered provider immediately ordered the missing items.
• Staff were qualified and had received training appropriate to their roles.
• Patients were involved in making decisions about their treatment and were given clear explanations about their proposed treatment including costs, benefits and risks.
• Dental care records showed treatment was planned in line with current best practice guidelines.
• Oral health advice and treatment were provided in-line with the ‘Delivering Better Oral Health’ toolkit (DBOH).
• We observed patients were treated with kindness and respect by staff.
• Staff ensured there was sufficient time to explain fully the care and treatment they were providing in a way patients understood.
• Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed.
• The practice was accessible for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. However, a Disability Discrimination Act audit had not been carried out.
• The governance systems were effective.
• There were clearly defined leadership roles within the practice and staff told us they felt supported, appreciated and comfortable to raise concerns or make suggestions.

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

• Review the security of prescription pads in the practice.
• Review the current legionella risk assessment and implement the required actions including the monitoring and recording of water temperatures, giving due regard to the 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 its complaint handling procedures and establish a system for handling and responding to complaints by patients.
• Review the practice responsibilities to meet the needs of people with a disability and the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and ensure a Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) audit is undertaken for the premises.