We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 4 October 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

Established in 2015, Stoneyfield dental practice is situated within Stanley, County Durham. The practice occupies a two-storey building and provides predominantly private treatment to patients of all ages. There are two treatment rooms, a reception and waiting room, a dedicated decontamination room for sterilising dental instruments and a staff room / general office. Car parking is available on the side-streets near the practice. Access for wheelchair users or pushchairs is possible via the ground floor entrance and use of the downstairs surgeries.

The practice is open Monday to Friday with variation on opening times dependant on the day.

The dental team is comprised of two dentists, a practice manager, one dental hygienist and therapist and three dental nurses.

The principal dentist 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.

We reviewed 12 CQC comment cards on the day of our visit; patients were very positive about the staff and standard of care provided by the practice. Patients commented they felt involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be helpful, respectful, friendly and were treated in a clean and tidy environment.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was well organised, visibly clean and free from clutter.
• Staff were very welcoming and friendly.
• Dental professionals provided treatment in accordance with current professional guidelines.
• Patient feedback was regularly sought and reflected upon.
• Patients could access urgent care when required.
• Dental professionals were maintaining their continued professional development (CPD) in accordance with their professional registration.
• Complaints were dealt with in an efficient and positive manner.
• An Infection prevention and control policy was in place. We saw the sterilisation procedures followed recommended guidance.
• The practice had systems for recording incidents and accidents.
• Practice meetings were used for shared learning.
• The practice had a safeguarding policy and staff were aware of how to escalate safeguarding issues for children and adults should the need arise.
• Staff received annual medical emergency training. Equipment for dealing with medical emergencies reflected guidance from the resuscitation council.
• Equipment within the practice was regularly serviced and maintained as per manufacturer’s guidance.
• The practice carried out regular review of their clinical and administrative work through surveys and audits.