We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 29 February 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

North Park Dental Practice is located close to the centre of Harrogate and offers general dentistry services to NHS patients, Denplan and private treatment options are also available. The practice employs four dentists (one of which is a foundation training dentist), supported by a practice manager, six dental nurses (one of which is a trainee) and two receptionists.

The practice has three surgeries, one on the ground floor where the reception and staff facilities are location and the other two on the first floor where the decontamination room is also located and patient toilets.

The practice is open:

Monday – Friday 09:00 – 13:00 & 14:00 – 17:30

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.

On the day of inspection we received 22 CQC comment cards providing feedback and spoke to eight patients. The patients who provided feedback were very positive about the care and attention to treatment they received at the practice. They told us they were involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be excellent, great at responding to responding to pain requirements, helpful and they were treated with dignity and respect in a clean and tidy environment.

Our key findings were:

• Staff had received safeguarding training, knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report it.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to manage medical emergencies.
• Staff demonstrated knowledge about whistleblowing and were confident they could raise a concern about another staff member’s performance if it was necessary.
• Infection control procedures were in accordance with the published guidelines.
• Patient care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines, best practice and current regulations.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs. Appointments were easy to book and emergency slots were available each day for patients requiring urgent treatment.
• There was a complaints system in place. Staff recorded complaints and cascaded learning to staff.
• The governance systems were effective.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.

People told us that they had been consulted about the treatment options available to them and had been involved in making decisions about their treatment. People said that they were happy with the care and treatment they had received and had been treated well by the staff. Treatment records showed that people’s treatment was appropriately planned and recorded. Comments made to us by people who used the service included “The explanation of what goes on is excellent I would say”, “I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this practice to family and friends”, ”Always a thorough check when I come” and “Absolutely delighted with the service.”

Suitable arrangements were in place to provide emergency first aid and resuscitation if needed. Procedures were also in place to ensure that equipment was appropriately decontaminated and sterilised. Staff were able to describe these arrangements clearly and had been appropriately trained in the prevention of infection and first aid. Staff support and training systems were in place and people told us that the staff were competent and professional.

Appropriate arrangements were in place for gathering feedback from people who used the service and for dealing with complaints. This included asking people about their experiences and responding to complaints in an appropriate way. Comments made to us included “I’ve not had to raise concerns” and “I feel like I could just ring up and have a chat if I did have any concerns.”