We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 8 March 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

CTL dental practice is located in Richmond, North Yorkshire close to public transport links. The practice has one treatment room on the ground floor, a reception/waiting room, a decontamination room, patient toilets and a staff room and office located on the first floor.

There are two dentists, the owner and an associate, a dental hygiene therapist and three dental nurses (one of which is a trainee).

The practice offers private treatments including preventative advice, periodontal treatment and advanced restorative treatment. There are laser treatment for gum care and endodontic treatments available.

The practice is open various hours over a two week rotation:

Week 1

Monday 10:30 – 20:00, Tuesday 10:00 – 19:00, Wednesday Closed, Thursday 08:00 – 20:00, Friday 19:00 – 21:00, Saturday closed.

Week 2

Monday 10:30 – 20:00, Tuesday Closed, Wednesday 16:00 – 20:00, Thursday 08:00- 20:00, Friday closed, Saturday 08:00 – 13:00.

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.

On the day of inspection we received 75 CQC comment cards providing feedback. 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 treat them like they care, they had overcome dental phobias since attending the practice, all the staff are professional, exceptional, helpful, and gentle and they were treated with dignity and respect in a clean and tidy environment.

Our key findings were:

• Staff had received safeguarding training, knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report it.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to manage medical emergencies.
• Infection control procedures were in accordance with the published guidelines.
• Patient care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines, best practice and current regulations.
• 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.
• There was a complaints system in place. Staff recorded complaints and cascaded learning to staff.
• The governance systems were effective.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.