We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 4 June 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

The principal dentist established the Thurmaston Dental practice in1986 and moved into the current purpose built premises in 1996.

The practice is situated close to the centre of Thurmaston village on the outskirts of Leicester. It is located in a large two storey surgery with parking to the rear of the premises. The surgery has wheelchair access and a disabled toilet.

The practice has a principal dentist, three associate dentists, a practice manager, two dental therapists, four dental nurses, a trainee dental nurse, a patient care manager, two patient care co-ordinators and an administrator.

The practice provides primary dental services to both NHS and private patients. The practice is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 9.00am - 5.30pm, Tuesday: 9.00am - 7.00pm and Saturday by appointment only. It is closed on Sunday’s.

The principal dentist is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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 viewed 11 CQC comment cards that had been left for patients to complete, prior to our visit, about the services provided. All comment cards reflected positive comments about the staff and the services provided. Patients commented that the practice was clean and hygienic, they found the staff very friendly and approachable and they found the quality of the dentistry to be excellent. They said explanations were clear and made the dental experience as comfortable as possible. We also spoke with two patients during the inspection both of whom provided very positive feedback about the service.

We found the practice was providing safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Our key findings were:

• Staff had received safeguarding and whistleblowing training and knew the processes to follow to raise any concerns.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to handle emergencies and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available.
• Infection control procedures were in place and the practice followed published guidance.
• Patient’s care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines, best practice and current legislation.
• 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.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.
• The practice was well-led and staff felt involved and worked as a team.
• Governance systems were effective and there was a range of clinical and non-clinical audits to monitor the quality of services.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.