We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 1 September 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

Acorn Dental-High street Gosforth is part of the Perfect Smile (Acorn dental) Partnership group of practices. Situated on a busy high street, the practice provides predominantly NHS treatment to patients of all ages. The practice is located in a three-storey building with the entrance being on the ground floor and five treatment rooms spread over the upper two floors. There is a reception and waiting room with a segregated area for children to play and learn about oral health, a dedicated decontamination room for sterilising dental instruments, a staff kitchen and a general office. Car parking is available on the side-streets near the practice. Access for wheelchair users or pushchairs is not possible due to building restrictions however these patients can be accommodated in their sister practices in the region.

The practice is open Monday 0900-1900, Tuesday to Friday 0900-1700 and alternate Saturdays 0900-1300.

The dental team is comprised of the practice manager, five dentists, five dental nurses/ receptionists, three trainee dental nurses, one dental hygienist and three dental therapists.

The practice provides general dentistry as well as specialised treatments such as sedation or implants and is actively involved in training programmes such as vocational training for newly qualified dentists and teaching student dental nurses.

The partnership is the registered provider. A registered provider has legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

We reviewed 25 CQC comment cards on the day of our visit; patients were very positive about the staff and standard of care provided by the practice. Patients commented they felt involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be helpful, respectful, friendly and were treated in a clean and tidy environment.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was well organised, visibly clean and free from clutter.
• An Infection prevention and control policy was in place. We saw the sterilisation procedures followed recommended guidance.
• The practice had systems for recording incidents and accidents.
• Practice meetings were used for shared learning.
• The practice had a safeguarding policy and staff were aware on how to escalate safeguarding issues for children and adults should the need arise.
• Staff received annual medical emergency training. Equipment for dealing with medical emergencies reflected guidance from the resuscitation council.
• Dental professionals provided treatment in accordance with current professional guidelines.
• Patient feedback was regularly sought and reflected upon.
• Patients could access urgent care when required.
• Dental professionals were maintaining their continued professional development (CPD) in accordance with their professional registration.
• Complaints were dealt with in an efficient and positive manner.
• The organisation is actively involved in promoting oral health.

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

• Review the practice’s recruitment policy and procedures to ensure that all staff undergo Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks prior to employment.