We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 11 May 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

Great Shelford Dental Practice provides NHS and private dental treatment to patients of all ages.

The principal dentist 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.

Six dentists and four hygienists support the principal dentist. There is a practice manager and four dental nurses, three of whom cover the reception duties. The dental nurses are responsible for the cleaning of the practice; in addition the practice has a contract cleaner twice a week.

The practice is located amongst shops and businesses in the centre of the village and operates over two floors. On the ground floor there are two surgeries, an office, reception, and waiting area making it accessible to wheelchair users. On the first floor there are a further two treatment rooms, a room for taking X-rays, a decontamination room for cleaning, sterilising, and packing dental instruments and staff room. There is a toilet suitable for disabled patients and there is a free car park at the front of the building. There is a secure area for the storage of waste at the rear of the property.

We received feedback from ten patients during the inspection process. We received positive comments about the cleanliness of the premises, the kindness and responsiveness of staff, and the quality of treatment provided. Patients told us that staff explained treatment plans to them well. Patients reported that the practice had seen them on the same day for emergency treatment.

Our key findings were:

• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and their confidentiality was maintained.

• The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.

• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment and its costs, benefits, and risks and were involved in making decisions about them.

• Staff had received safeguarding training and knew the processes to follow to raise any concerns.

• Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available and accessible.

• Infection control procedures were in place and staff had access to personal protective equipment.

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

• The practice staff felt involved in the running of the practice and worked as a team.

• Systems, and risk assessments, were in place to give oversight and ensure compliance with regulations.
• However, regular audits were not performed to manage performance, identify and mitigate risks, and encourage improvements.

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

• 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.
• Review and implement cleaning schedules for contracted cleaners.