We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 15 December 2015 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.

Wayside Dental Practice is a general dental practice in Harpenden, Hertfordshire offering private dental treatment to adults and children.

The premises are located on the ground and first floor and consist of six treatment rooms, a reception area, a waiting room and a designated decontamination room.

The staff at the practice consist of a practice manager, five dentists, a periodontal specialist, two dental hygienists, five dental nurses, a trainee dental nurse, four receptionists and an administrator.

The principal dentist 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:

• There was an induction and training programme for staff to follow which ensured they were skilled and competent in delivering safe and effective care and support to patients.

• The practice ensured staff maintained the necessary skills and competence to support the needs of patients.

• There were effective systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. We found the treatment rooms and equipment were visibly clean.

• There were systems in place to check equipment had been serviced regularly, including the dental air compressor, autoclaves, fire extinguishers, dental laser and the X-ray equipment.

• We found the dentists and dental hygienists regularly assessed each patient’s gum health and dentists took X-rays at appropriate intervals.

• The practice kept up to date with current guidelines when considering the care and treatment needs of patients.

• The practice placed a strong emphasis on the promotion of oral and general health. Appropriate information and advice was available according to patients’ individual needs.

• Staff had been trained to handle emergencies and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available.

• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.

• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.

• The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.

• There was an effective complaints system and the practice was open and transparent with patients if a mistake had been made.

• Staff demonstrated knowledge of the practice whistleblowing policy and were confident they would raise a concern about another staff member’s performance if it was necessary.

• At our visit we observed staff were kind, caring and professional. Many staff had worked at the practice for a long time and demonstrated they knew patients well when they greeted them.

• We received feedback from 38 patients. Comments included patients felt they received excellent care and detailed explanations of treatment options from a practice team who were very friendly, caring and professional.

• There was an effective system in place to act on feedback received from patients and staff.
• There were systems in place to assess, monitor and improve the quality of service provided.

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

• Ensure that the practice is in compliance with its legal obligations under Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulation (IRMER) 2000 in relation to continual professional development training.