We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 21 February 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

LS1dental is situated in the area of Headingly in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The practice provides dental treatment to adults and children on a privately funded basis. The services include preventative advice and treatment, routine restorative dental care and dental implants.

The practice has one surgery, a decontamination room, a waiting area and a reception area. All of the facilities are on the first floor of the premises above a row of shops.

There are two dentists, two dental nurses (one of whom is a trainee) and a practice manager.

The opening hours are Monday from 8:00am to 6:30pm, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:00am to 6:00pm, Thursday 10:00am to 6:30pm and Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual. 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 15 patients. The patients were positive about the care and treatment they received at the practice. Comments included staff were friendly, helpful and caring. They also commented emergency appointments were readily available, treatment plans were clearly explained and the premises were clean and tidy.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was visibly clean and uncluttered.
• The practice had systems in place to assess and manage risks to patients and staff including health and safety and the management of medical emergencies.
• Staff were qualified and had received training appropriate to their roles.
• Patients were involved in making decisions about their treatment and were given clear explanations about their proposed treatment including costs, benefits and risks.
• Dental care records showed 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).
• We observed 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.
• The governance systems were effective.
• There were clearly defined leadership roles within the practice and staff told us they felt supported, appreciated and comfortable to raise concerns or make suggestions.

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

• Review the system for identifying and disposing of out-of-date medicines.
• Review the process to ensure X-ray equipment is serviced and maintained appropriately.

We spoke with three people who used the service. People who used the service said they were happy with the quality of care and dental treatment offered by the dental practice.

People said they were fully involved in decisions about their treatments and felt they got good clear explanations. They also said the practice was always very clean. People's comments included:

"They create a lovely atmosphere, I feel valued as a patient, and they are really friendly and get to know you on a personal basis."

"Staff always explain things so well to me and in such a nice way it makes me feel at ease."

"I have every confidence in the dentist; he has a great approach and explains everything to me."

We saw staff treating people with respect, being polite, helpful, flexible and courteous. We spoke with four members of staff. Records we looked at showed that people who used the service were involved in any decisions regarding their treatment.

We saw that people's personal records were well maintained and kept confidential. Other records were in place to protect people's safety and well-being.

People were cared for, or supported by, suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff.

Appropriate checks had been undertaken before staff began work.

There was an effective complaints system in place. Complaints people made were

responded to appropriately. People told us if they had any concerns or complaints they

would discuss them with the provider or members of staff and they were confident of using

the complaints system.