We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 20 July 2015 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

Dearne Valley Dental Practice is situated in the Goldthorpe area of Rotherham. It offers mainly NHS treatment to patients of all ages but also offers private dental treatments. The services provided include preventative advice and treatment and routine restorative dental care. Treatment and waiting rooms are on the ground and first floor of the premises.

The practice has three surgeries, a decontamination room, a storage room, two waiting areas, a reception area and toilet facilities,.

There is currently only one dentist, however a new dentist will be starting soon. There are also two dental nurses, two reception staff and a practice manager.

The opening hours are Monday to Friday 9-00am to 5-30pm. The practice is closed for lunch between 1-00pm and 2-00pm.

The practice owner is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission 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.

On the day of inspection 24 people provided feedback. The patients who provided feedback were positive about the care and treatment they received at the practice. They told us they were involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be friendly and they were treated with dignity and respect.

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.
• Dental care records were detailed and showed that treatment was planned in line with current best practice guidelines.
• Oral health advice and treatment were provided in-line with the ‘Delivering Better Oral Health’ toolkit (DBOH).
• Patients were treated with care, respect and dignity.
• There were clearly defined leadership roles within the practice and staff told us that they felt supported, appreciated and comfortable to raise concerns or make suggestions. Staff received training appropriate to their roles.

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

• Ensure that legionella risk assessments are conducted at suggested intervals by a competent person
• Ensure equipment in the surgeries are kept in good condition