We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 24 November 2015 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

SCA Collins Limited is situated in the Banner Cross area of Sheffield. It offers mainly NHS treatment to patients of all ages but also offers private dental treatments. The services include preventative advice, treatment and routine restorative dental care. It also offers domiciliary services to the local hospice, residential homes and for patients who cannot attend the surgery for medical reasons. Treatment and waiting rooms are on the ground and first floor of the premises.

The practice has three surgeries, a decontamination room, two waiting areas and a reception area. There are toilet facilities on the first floor of the premises and also in a separate building behind the premises.

There are two dentists, a dental hygiene therapist and five dental nurses who also cover reception duties.

The opening hours are Monday, Thursday and Friday 9-00am to 5-00pm, Tuesday 9-00am to 7-00pm and Wednesday 9-00am to 1-00pm. They also open two Saturdays a month between 9-00am and 12-00pm.

The practice owner is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission 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.

On the day of inspection 49 patients provided feedback. The patients were positive about the care and treatment they received at the practice. They told us they were treated with dignity and respect in a clean and hygienic environment, informed of treatment options, were able to make appointments in a timely manner and were made to feel comfortable and relaxed.

Our key findings were:

• The practice had systems in place to assess and manage risks to patients and staff including infection prevention and control, fire and health and safety.
• Their recruitment policy was not always followed in respect to obtaining two references for new staff.
• Oral health advice and treatment were provided in-line with the ‘Delivering Better Oral Health’ toolkit.
• Patients were treated with care, respect and dignity.
• Patients were able to make appointments in a timely manner at a time which suited them.
• There were clearly defined leadership roles within the practice and staff told us that they felt supported, appreciated and comfortable to raise concerns or make suggestions.

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

• Aim for all staff to complete safeguarding training.
• Aim to seek references for all new members of staff.
• Aim to document discussions with patients about treatment options.
• Review the practice’s protocols for the use of rubber dam for root canal treatment giving due regard to guidelines issued by the British Endodontic Society.
• Aim to replace the fabric chairs in the surgeries with wipe clean chairs.