We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 4 February 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. However, we found areas which should be improved.

Background

Toothpassion is situated in Leeds city centre, West Yorkshire. It offers private dental treatments to mainly adults and and a few children. The services include preventative advice and treatment, routine and cosmetic restorative dental care and adult orthodontics. The registered provider has been providing dental services from the premises since 1985.

The practice has two surgeries, an X-ray room, a waiting area and a reception area. The practice is situated on the first floor of a retail building.

There is one dentist, two dental hygienists, one dental nurse and two part-time receptionists (who are also qualified dental nurses.

The opening hours are Monday to Thursday from 9-00am to 5-30pm.

The practice owner is the registered provider for the practice. 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.

During the inspection we received feedback from 49 patients. The patients were positive about the care and treatment they received at the practice. Comments included that the staff were excellent, personable and that they were made to feel at ease and were confident the treatment which they receive is of a high standard. Patients also commented that the surgeries were clean and hygienic.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was clean and hygienic.
• The practice had some systems in place to assess and manage risks to patients and staff including infection prevention, control and health and safety and the management of medical emergencies.
• Staff received training appropriate to their roles.
• Patients were involved in making decisions about their treatment and were given clear explanations about their proposed treatment including costs, benefits and risks.
• We observed that patients were treated with kindness and respect by staff.
• Staff ensured there was sufficient time to explain fully the care and treatment they were providing in a way patients understood.
• Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed.
• The practice’s process of auditing clinical and non-clinical areas could be improved.

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

• Review the practice’s whistleblowing policy to include contact details of external agencies.
• Review the complaints policy displayed in the waiting room and on the website to include contact details of other agencies.
• Review the practice’s approach to applying fluoride to children’s teeth.
• Review the practice’s procedure for the checking of the oxygen and automated external defibrillator.
• Review the practice’s procedures with regards to the daily checks on the autoclaves.
• Review the practice’s system to ensure clinical and non-clinical audits are completed on a regular basis.

We were unable to speak with people who used the service on the day of the visit. It is a small practice with one dentist and the opportunity did not arise to speak with people who used the service.