We did not speak with people who use the service at this visit. We looked at the systems and processes for checking emergency drugs and equipment to ensure people’s safety and welfare.

During our inspection of this service, we were able to speak with one person who told us that they and their family had attended the practice for many years. They told us they were very satisfied with the quality of service provided and any required treatments including costs were fully explained in order for them to make an informed choice.

We carried out this announced inspection on 23 April 2019 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We planned the inspection to check whether the registered provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it caring?

• Is it responsive to people’s needs?

• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

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

Skelmanthorpe Dental Practice provides NHS and private treatment to adults and children.

There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.

The dental team includes two dentists, three dental nurses (one of whom is a trainee), one dental hygiene therapist and one receptionist. The practice has three treatment rooms.

The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They 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 collected 11 CQC comment cards filled in by patients.

During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, two dental nurses, the dental hygiene therapist and the receptionists. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 5:30pm

Wednesday from 9am to 7pm

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
• The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• The provider had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The provider had staff recruitment procedures. Improvements could be made to the ongoing maintenance of staff folders.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines. Improvements could be made to the documentation of the informed consent process.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• Staff were providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• The provider had effective leadership and culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The provider had an accessible complaints procedure.
• The provider had suitable information governance arrangements.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Review the practice's recruitment policy and procedures to ensure up to date records are maintained for all staff.
• Review the need for an up to date Legionella risk assessment.
• Review the practice's protocols for completion of dental care records taking into account the guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice.
• Review the practice’s protocols to ensure audits of radiography are clinician specific.