We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 24 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

Established in 2006, Chris Edmonds and associates provides private treatment to all patients. The entrance is located on the ground floor and the remainder of the practice is on the first floor. There are two treatment rooms (one of which is used as a dedicated decontamination room for sterilising dental instruments), a reception, a segregated waiting area, a staff room and 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. A stair-lift is available for aiding people up and down the stairs.

The practice is open:

Monday & Tuesday 0900-2000

Wednesday 0900-1700

Thursday & Friday 0815am-1715

The dental team is comprised of the principal dentist who is also the registered manager, a practice manager and three dental nurses/receptionists.

The principal dentist is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.

We reviewed 14 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 found staff to be very caring and felt they were treated in a clean and tidy environment. They also mentioned the overall atmosphere within the practice was very relaxed which put patients at ease.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was well organised, visibly clean and free from clutter.
• Staff were very friendly, caring and enthusiastic.
• An Infection prevention and control policy was in place. We saw the sterilisation procedures followed recommended guidance.
• Dental professionals provided treatment in accordance with current professional guidelines.
• 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.
• Staff received annual medical emergency training.
• Equipment for dealing with medical emergencies reflected guidance from the resuscitation council.
• The practice had systems for recording incidents and accidents.
• Practice meetings were used for shared learning.
• Patient feedback was regularly sought and reflected upon.
• Patients could access urgent care when required.
• Staff were aware on how to escalate safeguarding issues for children and adults should the need arise.
• The principal dentist received safety alerts from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and distributed these amongst all staff within the practice.
• The practice was involved in promoting oral health at various schools and /or venues throughout the region.
• Risk assessments of materials within the practice were not carried out in accordance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002.

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

• Review the practice responsibilities in regards to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 to ensure all documentation is present and up to date and staff understand how to minimise risks associated with the use of and handling of these substances.

• Review the practice’s protocols for the use of rubber dam for root canal treatment giving due regard to guidelines issued by the British Endodontic Society.