We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 9 July 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.

Holt House Dental practice is located close to the centre of Matlock near the railway station. There are good public transport links and car parking at the railway station.

The practice treats both private and NHS patients, with the majority (approximately 90%) being NHS. Most patients live in Matlock or the surrounding area. The practice treats patients from the whole range of ages from children to the elderly.

The practice has three dentists plus one foundation year dentist. ‘The practice is a training practice for the Dental Foundation Training (DFT) scheme. DFT provides postgraduate dental education for newly qualified dentists in their first (foundation) year of practice; usually within general dental practices. One of the principal dentists is a trainer for the DFT scheme and provides clinical and educational supervision. The practice currently has one dentist who is in their first (foundation) year of practice. In addition, the practice has one hygienist/therapist and four dental nurses plus one trainee. There was one receptionist and a practice manager.

The practice opening hours were: Monday to Thursday: 08:15 am to 5:00 pm and Friday 08:15 am to 4:00 pm.

One of the partners 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.

We viewed 18 CQC comment cards that had been completed by patients, about the services provided. All 18 comment cards had positive comments about the staff and the services provided. In addition, we spoke with three patients who all provided positive feedback about the practice and the dental treatment they had received. Comments particularly focussed on the caring nature of the staff, and how well the practice met patients’ needs.

Our key findings were:

• The practice recorded and analysed significant events and complaints and shared learning with staff.
• Staff had received safeguarding and whistle blowing training and knew the procedures to follow to raise any concerns.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to handle emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available.
• Infection control procedures were in place and the practice followed the related guidance.
• Patient’s care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines, good practice and current legislation.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, options and risks and were involved in making decisions.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.
• The practice was well-led and staff worked as a team.
• Governance systems were effective and there was a range of clinical and non-clinical audits to monitor the quality of services.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided

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

• Review the arrangements for air flow in the decontamination room

We spoke with five people who had received treatment during our visit. This enabled us to gather their thoughts on both the treatment they had received and the dental practice in general. We were told that the dentist had obtained their consent before any treatment had been performed and they all told us that overall, they were satisfied with how they had been looked after. One person explained: “They are absolutely brilliant; they explain things and put you at ease.” Another told us: I needed an emergency appointment, I phoned in the morning but couldn’t get an appointment until that afternoon, that’s the only time I’ve had an issue. I don’t think they can do any more for me.”

There were systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. We reviewed the infection prevention and decontamination policies and found them to be up to date and comprehensive with responsibilities clearly defined.

People told us that they found the practice and treatment rooms to be clean and tidy and confirmed that the dentist and the dental nurses wore protective clothing when providing treatment. One person told us: “They always wear gloves and masks and they give you glasses to wear.”