We spoke with four people who used the service and they all said they were happy with the care and treatment they had received at the dental practice.

We received the following comments:

“I really didn’t like going to the dentist but I’m ok now. Coming here has made it so much easier; they reassure you and are very caring.”

“Everything is explained. He (the dentist) will go through the options and then gives you time and will help you decide.”

“The dentist is very good with people; everyone is friendly, reassuring and makes sure you are comfortable.”

“Everything is discussed. I get anxious and the dentist talks through the stages of the treatment and asks how much I want to do in one appointment. It is done step by step, and at every stage they check I’m ok.”

“You get well looked after when you’re here. Everyone is very kind.”

“The care is of a very high standard.”

“I’ve been coming for years and have been more than happy with the care and treatment.”

“If you have an emergency they are always accommodating.”

Patient surveys showed there was a high level of satisfaction with the practice.

We spoke with five staff which included a dentist, dental nurses and reception staff. They told us people received very good care and treatment, and their needs were appropriately met. Staff told us people were involved in the planning of their treatment and good systems were in place to make sure people’s privacy, dignity, and confidentially were maintained.

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 30 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

The Rawdon Lights Dental Practice offers a full range of dental treatments preventative, corrective and cosmetic. The practice is in the centre of Rawdon, West Yorkshire in a converted building based on the 1st floor. There is a stair lift to the first floor and wheelchair for patients with limited mobility. There are two treatment rooms, a decontamination room, staff area, and a waiting and reception room. Parking is available at the front of the practice.

The staff consisted of a dentist, dental hygienist, four dental nurses, practice manager and two receptionists.

The opening hours are Monday and Wednesday 8:30am-8:30pm Tuesday and Thursday 8:30am-5:45pm, Friday 7:30am-5pm.

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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 received feedback directly from patients during the inspection and from 78 CQC comment cards sent to the practice prior to our visit. The comments were overwhelmingly positive and complimentary about the caring nature and professionalism of the staff.

We reviewed the practice’s own surveys and these confirmed that overall patients were happy with the service. In October 2016 100% of patients surveyed were satisfied with the service and would recommend it to others.

Our key findings were:

• The premises were visibly clean and tidy.
• The practice had procedures in place to record and analyse significant events and incidents.
• Staff had received safeguarding training, and knew the process to follow to raise concerns.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, skilled staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies, and emergency medicines and equipment were available.
• Patients’ needs were assessed, and care and treatment were delivered, in accordance with current legislation, standards, and guidance.
• Patients received information about their care, proposed treatment, costs, benefits, and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Staff were supported to deliver effective care, and opportunities for training and learning were available.
• Patients were treated with kindness, dignity, and respect.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients, and emergency appointments were available.
• Services were planned and delivered to meet the needs of patients, and reasonable adjustments were made to enable patients to receive their care and treatment.
• The practice gathered the views of patients and took their views into account.
• Staff were supervised, felt involved, and worked as a team.
• Governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the practice, and for the delivery of high quality person centred care.

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

• Review the storage of surplus equipment in the decontamination room and also review the hand washing facilities in this area. This is to give due regard to guidelines issued by the Department of Health - Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices and The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.