We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 7 June 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

Sandbach Heath Dental Surgery is located in a residential suburb close to the centre of Sandbach and comprises a reception and waiting room, two treatment rooms, one of which is on the ground floor, offices, storage and staff rooms. Parking is available outside the practice. The practice is accessible to patients with disabilities, impaired mobility and to wheelchair users.

The practice provides general dental treatment to patients on an NHS basis. The practice opening times are Tuesday 9.00am to 6.00pm, Wednesday and Thursday 9.00am to 5.30pm and Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm. The practice is staffed by a principal dentist, two dental therapists, four dental nurses and two receptionists.

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.

We received feedback from 31 people on CQC comment cards during the inspection about the services provided. Patients commented that they found the practice excellent and well organised, and that staff were professional, friendly and caring. They said that they were always given good and helpful explanations about dental treatment and that the dentist listened to them. Patients commented that the practice was clean and comfortable.

Our key findings were:

• The practice had procedures in place to record and analyse significant events and incidents and acted on safety alerts.
• Staff had received safeguarding training and knew the process to follow to raise any concerns.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified and skilled staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies, and emergency medicines and equipment were available.
• Premises and equipment were clean, secure and well maintained.
• Infection control procedures were in place and the practice followed current guidance.
• Patients’ needs were assessed, and care and treatment were delivered, in accordance with current legislation, standards and guidance.
• Patients received explanations 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.
• We observed that patients were treated with kindness, dignity and respect, and their confidentiality was maintained.
• 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 into account patient feedback.
• 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.

When we visited Sandbach Heath Dental Surgery we spoke with nine people who were patients of the practice. All the people we spoke with praised the practice and told us that they were happy with the care and treatment provided. They told us that the staff at the practice treated them with respect and put them at their ease, involving them in discussion about their symptoms and treatment options. They said the premises were clean and high standards of hygiene were maintained. They felt safe and had confidence in the staff and the practice.

We received a number of positive comments including one person who said: “This is an excellent dentist, the professionalism of the staff instils confidence and makes you feel at ease and relaxed. They are very good at explaining things and a clear about charging”. Another patient said: “They are very good on information here. They explain everything very well. They involve you and overall do an excellent job”.