We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 16 December 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

Hetton Dental practice resides in Hetton-le-Hole, Sunderland and provides predominantly NHS treatment to patients of all ages. The practice is housed in a two-storey building and is comprised of three treatment rooms, a reception, two waiting areas, a dedicated decontamination room for sterilising dental instruments, a staff kitchen and a general office. Car parking is available on the side-streets near the practice. Access for wheelchair users or pushchairs is possible via the slightly sloped entrance path.

The practices opening hours are:

Monday 9am-6.30pm

Tuesday 9am-7pm

Wednesday 9am-5pm

Thursday 9am-6pm

Friday 9am-2pm

The dental team is comprised of the practice owners (the principal dentist and the practice manager) four associate dentists, a dental hygiene and therapist, four dental nurses and two receptionists.

The practice provides general dentistry as well as specialised treatments (orthodontics and dental implants).

The partnership is the registered provider. A registered provider has legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

We reviewed 22 CQC comment cards on the day of our visit; patients were very positive about the staff and standard of care provided by the practice. Patients commented they felt involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be helpful, respectful, friendly and were treated in a clean and tidy environment.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was well organised, visibly clean and free from clutter.
• An Infection prevention and control policy was in place. We saw the sterilisation procedures followed recommended guidance.
• The practice had systems for recording incidents and accidents.
• Practice meetings were used for shared learning.
• The practice had a safeguarding policy and staff were aware on how to escalate safeguarding issues for children and adults should the need arise.
• Staff received annual medical emergency training. Equipment for dealing with medical emergencies reflected guidance from the resuscitation council UK.
• Dental professionals provided treatment in accordance with current professional guidelines.
• Patient feedback was regularly sought and reflected upon.
• Patients could access urgent care when required.
• Dental professionals were maintaining their continued professional development (CPD) in accordance with their professional registration.
• Complaints were dealt with in an efficient and positive manner.
• The practice was actively involved in promoting oral health. The upper and lower waiting areas each had a television displaying dentally relevant information and notice boards with a vast amount of preventive advice. A ‘sugar-quantity’ display was also present to alert patients on hidden sugars and their consumption.