We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 21 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

Gordon Smith Dental Practice is a dental practice providing general dental services on a NHS and private basis. The service is provided by two dentists. They are supported by three dental nurses, a practice manager and a receptionist. The practice manager was also a qualified dental nurse.

The practice is located on a busy road close to local amenities and several bus routes. There are nearby car parking facilities. The premises consist of a waiting room, a reception area, two treatment rooms and accessible toilet facilities on the ground floor. The first floor comprises of a staff room/kitchen/office area and a storage room. Opening hours are from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Thursday and 9am to 1pm on Fridays.

The provider is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual. 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.

Forty-six patients provided feedback about the practice. We looked at comment cards patients had completed prior to the inspection and we also spoke with three patients. Overall the information from patients was complimentary. Patients were positive about their experience and they commented that staff were friendly and polite.

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and tidy on the day of our visit. Many patients commented that this was also their experience.

• Feedback from patients described the service as friendly, kind and caring. Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed.

• The practice carried out effective infection control procedures in line with current guidance.

• The practice had systems to monitor and manage risks to patients, staff and visitors. This included infection prevention and control, health and safety, safeguarding, safe staff recruitment and the management of medical emergencies.

• Patients’ care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines and current legislation.

• Staff received training appropriate to their roles.

• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties, and equipment was well maintained.

• The practice had an effective complaints system in place and there was an openness and transparency in how these were dealt with.

• Staff told us they felt well supported and comfortable to raise concerns or make suggestions.

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

• 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

• Review staff awareness of the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Gillick competency and ensure all staff are aware of their responsibilities.
• Review the practice's protocols for completion of dental records giving due regard to guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice regarding clinical examinations and record keeping.
• Review the practice’s audit protocols of various aspects of the service, such as radiography and dental care records at regular intervals to help improve the quality of service. Practice should also check all audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.
• Consider replacing the flooring in one treatment room with a smooth impervious covering with coving as part of their future refurbishment programme.

During our visit on 7 December we met with the practice manager, a dentist and a dental nurse. We also spoke with the receptionist.

We spoke with seven people who attended the practice. People described the practice as being welcoming and friendly. People spoke very positively about the quality of the service they had received. One person told us, "Mr Smith is an excellent dentist." Another said, “I’ve used the practice for over 30 years and it has always been excellent.”

People we spoke with told us that everything was always explained to them. One person said, "They always clearly explain what I need."

During our visit we saw the practice was clean and tidy. Processes were in place to ensure that equipment was safe to use and high levels of cleanliness maintained.

The practice had processes in place to monitor people's views about the service offered. People told us they never had cause to complain about the service they had received. People told us they were satisfied with the service and had recommended it to family and friends.