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

Mydentist – Station Road-Hebburn is situated in Hebburn, Tyne and Wear and was established as part of the Mydentist group of practices in 2008. The practice provides predominantly NHS treatment to patients of all ages. There are five treatment rooms located over two floors, a dedicated decontamination room for sterilising dental instruments, a general office and a staff kitchen. Car parking is available on the side-streets near the practice and dedicated disabled bays are located in front of the premises. Access for wheelchair users or pushchairs is possible via the step-free ground floor entrance.

The practice is open

Monday and Wednesday 0745-1930

Tuesday and Thursday 0745-1730

Friday 0830-1730

The dental team is comprised of the practice manager, three dentists, six dental nurses (one of whom is a trainee), a receptionist and a dental hygiene and therapist.

The registered manager is the practice manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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 reviewed 32 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.
• 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 organisation was actively involved in promoting children’s oral health.

People told us that they were satisfied with the service they received from the practice. One person told us that they thought the practice was “really nice” and the staff were “lovely”. Another person told us that everything was “smashing” and that staff were “really good” They also said staff “have a nice manner”.

We found that people were given appropriate information regarding treatment. Care and support was given which met their needs and protected their rights.

The service followed the appropriate guidance regarding the risk of infection. Those we spoke with said they found the practice to be clean.

The provider could demonstrate that appropriate checks were in place regarding the recruitment and vetting of staff. There was an effective system in place to assess and monitor the quality of service.