We carried out this announced inspection on 8 April 2019 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We planned the inspection to check whether the registered provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it caring?

• Is it responsive to people’s needs?

• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

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

Yealmpton Dental Practice is in Yealmpton and provides private treatment to adults and children. The practice is a specialist referral practice for the provision of specialist endodontic, prosthodontic, periodontal and restorative dental care.

The practice is not suitable for wheelchair users as it is accessed by stairs. Limitations to access are signposted for potential patients on the practice website and in the practice brochure. Street parking is available near the practice.

The dental team includes three dentists, four dental nurses and a dental hygiene therapist/practice manager. The practice has one treatment room.

The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.

On the day of inspection, we collected 22 CQC comment cards filled in by patients. These gave us a positive view of the service.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, two dental nurses and the dental hygiene therapist/practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday 9am – 5pm.

Tuesday 11am – 7pm.

Wednesday 9am – 5pm.

Thursday 9am – 5pm.

Friday 9am – 5pm.

Saturday 10am – 4pm.

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
• The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• The provider had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The provider had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• Staff were providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• The provider had effective leadership and culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The provider dealt with patient feedback positively and efficiently.
• The provider had suitable information governance arrangements.

There was an area where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Review the practice’s infection control audit protocols taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, and having regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.’