We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 17 January 2017 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

Hebden Bridge dental care is based in a converted building in the town of Hebden Bridge near Halifax, West Yorkshire. The practice provides private treatment to adults and some NHS services to children.

There are three treatment rooms, a purpose built decontamination room, an office, reception and waiting areas and disabled toilet facilities. Due to extensive flooding in the Hebden Bridge area and subsequent damage to the property the practice has relocated its ground floor surgery to the first floor. They have also fitted a stair lift to assist patients who cannot manage the stairs. The practice is on a local bus route, walking distance from the station and public parking is available nearby.

The practice has four dentists,two dental hygienists, six dental nurses (two of who are also receptionists) and a practice manager.

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual registered person. 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.

We received feedback from 54 patients during the inspection about the services provided. Patients commented they found the staff professional, friendly and caring. They confirmed the dentists were knowledgeable and listened to their concerns regarding treatment.

Our key findings were:

• The premises were visibly clean and tidy
• Staff followed current infection control guidelines for decontaminating and sterilising equipment.
• The practice had procedures in place to record and analyse significant events and incidents.
• Staff had received safeguarding training, and knew the process to follow to raise concerns.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, skilled staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies, and emergency medicines and equipment were available.
• Patients’ needs were assessed, and care and treatment were delivered, in accordance with current legislation, standards, and guidance.
• Patients received information about their care, proposed treatment, costs, benefits, and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Staff were supported to deliver effective care, and opportunities for training and learning were available.
• Patients were treated with kindness, dignity, and respect, and their confidentiality was maintained.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients, and emergency appointments were available.
• Services were planned and delivered to meet the needs of patients, and reasonable adjustments were made to enable patients to receive their care and treatment.
• The practice gathered the views of patients and took their views into account.
• Staff were supervised, felt involved, and worked as a team.
• Governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the practice, and for the delivery of high quality person centred care.

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

• Review the practice’s sharps procedures giving due regard to the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.
• Review the practice’s infection control procedures and protocols giving due regard to guidelines issued by the Department of Health - Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices and The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.