We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 7 September 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

The practice provides NHS treatment to adults and children patients with a small amount of private treatments in the Otley area and beyond.

The dental practice has six treatment rooms. There is a waiting/ reception area, two decontamination rooms, kitchen and staff room /office area. Off street parking is available adjacent to the practice.

The practice has six dentists, a dental therapist, five dental nurses, five trainee dental nurses, five receptionists and a practice manager.

The practice provides general dentistry and is actively involved in vocational foundation training for newly qualified dentists (foundation training enables newly qualified dentists to work within the National Health Service (NHS) system).

The practice is open Monday – Friday 8:30am- 5pm.

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

Before the inspection we sent CQC comment cards to the practice for patients to complete to tell us about their experience of the practice. We also talked with six patients. All the feedback we received was positive about the care and treatment received at the practice.

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and hygienic and a patients we spoke with confirmed this.
• The practice had procedures in place to record and analyse significant events and incidents.
• The premises and equipment were secure and well maintained.
• Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies, and emergency medicines and equipment were available.
• Staff had received safeguarding training, knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report it. They had comprehensive systems in place to work closely and share information with the local safeguarding team.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified and trained staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• We observed that 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 practice had a complaints system in place and there was an openness and transparency in how these were dealt with.
• Patient feedback was regularly sought and reflected upon.

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

• The provider had infection prevention and control procedures in place and staff followed current guidelines for the decontamination of equipment however some improvements were needed to ensure all areas met current guidelines.
• Recruitment procedures were not always robust as not all recruitment documents were in place.

People’s privacy, dignity and independence were respected. We observed staff treating people with respect, being polite and courteous. There was a supportive atmosphere between staff and the people who used the service. One person told us, “I listen to the advice given by the dentist then I make my own decision.” Another person told us, “I have been given advice on flossing and brushing techniques.”

People experienced care, treatment and support that met their needs and protected their rights. We spoke with five people and they all told us they were happy with the care and treatment they received. One person told us, “I cannot ask for anything better, they explain everything.” Another person told us, “Staff are welcoming, I have no complaints and care is good.”

There were effective systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. The people we spoke with told us that they had no concerns with the hygiene. One person said, “I am happy with the hygiene, I would let them know if not.”

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.