We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 15 September 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.

Background

Hathersage Dental Surgery was registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in June 2013. The practice provides regulated dental services to patients in Hathersage and the surrounding areas. The practice provides mostly (approximately 99%) NHS dental treatment. Services provided include general dentistry, dental hygiene, teeth whitening, crowns and bridges, and root canal treatment. The practice also offers laser dentistry using a Biolase Waterlase laser.

The practice is a small single handed dental practice, with three dental nurses/ receptionists.

The practice is open: Monday: from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; Tuesday: from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm; Wednesday: from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; Thursday: from 9:00 to 6:00 pm and Friday: from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Access for urgent treatment outside of opening hours is through a dedicated telephone number for the emergency dental service at Scarsdale Hospital in Chesterfield. This information is available on both the practice leaflet and website.

We received feedback from eight patients, about the services provided. We saw that all eight provided positive comments. Patients said they were happy with the service provided. Patients also provided positive feedback about the dentist, the treatment and the whole staff team. Patients said they were able to ask questions, and the dentist explained the treatment options and costs.

Our key findings were:

• The practice had a system for recording accidents, significant events and complaints.
• There were systems and processes for staff to learn from any complaints and significant incidents.
• All staff had received whistle blowing training and were aware of these procedures and the actions required.
• Feedback from patients was very positive.
• Patients said they were happy with, and satisfied with the dental service they received.
• Patients said they were treated with dignity and respect, and our observations supported this.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies.
• Emergency medicines, an automated external defibrillator (AED) and oxygen were readily available. An AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses life threatening irregularities of the heart and delivers an electrical shock to attempt to restore a normal heart rhythm.
• Regular audits were not being completed at the practice to identify improvements required.
• The practice mostly followed the relevant guidance (Department of Health's guidance, ‘Health Technical Memorandum 01-05 (HTM 01-05) for infection control. However, we were not assured that six monthly audits were being completed as outlined in the guidance.
• Patients’ care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
• Patients were involved in making decisions about their treatment
• Options for treatment were identified and explored and discussed with patients.
• Patients’ confidentiality was maintained.

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

• Review the access arrangements for patients with restricted mobility under the Equality Act 2010.
• Consider the arrangements for regular update and review of the practice policies, procedures and risk assessments.
• Record the temperature of any refrigerator used to store temperature sensitive medicines, and review the use so that medicines and foodstuffs were not stored in the same refrigerator.
• Review the systems and processes in place to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the service. This should include regular audits of the service provided.