We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 7 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

1st Practice is located in the town of Hessle near Hull, Humberside. It is a NHS and private dental practice which offers private dental payment plans. The practice has three surgeries, a decontamination room, a waiting area, a reception area and patient toilets. All facilities are located on the ground floor of the premises. There are staff facilities on the first floor of the premises.

There is one dentist (the principal dentist), one dental hygiene therapist, one dental hygienist, five dental nurses one of which is training to become the practice manager.

The opening hours are:

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 09:00 –17:00

Wednesday (reception only) 09:00 – 12:30

Alternate Fridays 09:00 – 17:00

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.

During the inspection we received feedback from 24 patients. The patients who provided feedback were very positive about the care and attention to treatment they received at the practice. They told us they were involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be very good with children and nervous patients, helpful, respectful, friendly and communicated well. Patients commented they could access emergency care easily and they were treated with dignity and respect in a clean and tidy environment.

Our key findings were:

• The practice had systems in place to assess and manage risks to patients and staff including infection prevention and control, health and safety and the management of medical emergencies.
• The practice appeared clean and hygienic.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Infection control procedures were in accordance with the published guidelines.
• Treatment was well planned and provided in line with current best practice guidelines.
• 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 patients’ needs.
• The practice was well-led and staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The governance systems were effective.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.
• There were clearly defined leadership roles within the practice.

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

• Undertake a Legionella risk assessment, giving 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’ the HSE Legionnaires’ disease. Approved Code of Practice and guidance on regulations L8.

1st Practice was a small practice with one full time dentist, two part time dental hygienists and four part time dental nurses. We were able to speak with the dentist and four dental nurses during our visit. We also spoke with one patient who attended for an appointment. The patient who spoke with us told us that they were very happy with the care and treatment they received and they had confidence in the staff.

We found the environment to be clean, tidy and organised. We saw there were appropriate policies and procedures in place for the control of infection. The patient who spoke with us told us they felt the hygiene and cleanliness of the practice was "Excellent".

The dental staff told us they were aware of the procedures to follow if they had any concerns about child protection issues or abuse of vulnerable adults. They also said that they were aware of the complaints process. The patient told us that they were confident that if they did have any concerns they would be able to raise them and that they would be dealt with appropriately.

We saw that staff were able to access training as and when they needed to and received annual appraisals of their work practices.

The provider had an effective quality assurance system in place and people’s views and opinions of the service were listened to and acted on where necessary.