We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 18 August 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

Stamford Bridge Dental Practice provides general dental treatment for private and NHS patients in the village of Stamford Bridge near York, North Yorkshire.

The practice is purpose built with wheelchair access throughout. There are two surgeries, with only one currently in use. There is a reception and waiting area and disabled toilet facilities and practice parking.

There are three dentists, four dental nurses (one is the practice manager) and two receptionists. Staff from the sister practice in Pocklington also work at this practice to provide support and cover where required.

The practice is open:

Monday – Friday 09:00 – 17:30.

One of the owners 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.

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and hygienic.
• Staff had received safeguarding training, knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report it. They had very good systems in place to work closely and share information with the local safeguarding team.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to manage medical emergencies.
• 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.
• 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. There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients.

Stamford Bridge Dental Practice has two part time dentists and accompanying staff. We were able to speak with a dentist, the practice manager / dental nurse, the receptionist and four patients who attended appointments during our visit.

Patients who received treatment at Stamford Bridge Dental Practice told us they were very happy with the care and treatment they received and they had confidence in the staff. Patients also told us “It’s all good quality, you can even park here” and “It’s always been very good, it’s a consistent service”.

Patients told us they were pleased with the overall service, the staff treated them with dignity and respect and they felt the hygiene and cleanliness of the practice was good. Patients said “It’s freshly decorated and everything is clean” and “It’s very clean”.

The staff said they worked together well as a team and they felt they were supported by the dentists. They also said they were able to access training as part of their ongoing professional development when they needed to.

The dentist and staff had training about the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults and could tell us who they would contact if they were concerned about any abuse. The patients stated they were confident that if they did have any concerns or complaints they would be able to raise them and that they would be dealt with appropriately. The provider had systems in place to assess and monitor the quality of service people received.