We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 7 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

Gunn Dental Care is situated in the village of Bramhope near Leeds, West Yorkshire. It offers private dental treatments to patients of all ages but also offers. The services include preventative advice and treatment, routine restorative dental care and dental implants. Conscious sedation is also provided by a consultant from the local hospital.

The practice is located within a medical centre. It has two surgeries, a decontamination room, one waiting area and a reception area. All facilities are on the ground floor. There are accessible toilet facilities on the ground floor of the premises. The practice is about to undergo refurbishment of the waiting and reception area to enhance the appearance and make it more spacious.

There are two dentists, a dental hygiene therapist, a dental hygienist, four dental nurses and a receptionist.

The opening hours are Monday from 9-00am to 5-00pm, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9-00am to 6-30pm, Thursday from 8-00am to 4-00pm and Friday from 9-00am to 4-30pm.

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.

During the inspection we received feedback from 44 patients. The patients were positive about the care and treatment they received at the practice. Comments included that staff were friendly, professional and caring. Patients also commented that all treatment is discussed fully and all options are given.

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and hygienic.
• The practice had systems in place to assess and manage risks to patients and staff including infection prevention, control and health and safety and the management of medical emergencies.
• Staff were qualified and had received training appropriate to their roles.
• 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 involved in making decisions about their treatment and were given clear explanations about their proposed treatment including costs, benefits and risks.
• We observed that patients were treated with kindness and respect by staff. Staff ensured there was sufficient time to explain fully the care and treatment they were providing in a way patients understood.
• Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed.
• There were clearly defined leadership roles within the practice.