Archived: Hetton Dental Practice

Updated 29 October 2015

The inspection was carried out on 29 July 2015 and was led by a CQC Lead Inspector. The team also included a dentist specialist advisor.

We informed stakeholders, for example, NHS England area team that we were inspecting the practice; however we did not receive any information of concern from them.

The methods that were used to collect information at the inspection included interviewing staff, observations and review of documents.

During the inspection we spoke with a dentist, two dental nurses, a receptionist and the practice manager. We saw policies and procedures, and other records relating to the management of the service. We reviewed 50 CQC comment card that had been completed.

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 therefore formed the framework for the areas we looked at during the inspection.

Updated 29 October 2015

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 29 July 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 practice provides primary care dental services under the NHS to patients approximately 8,000 patients.

The practice is open: Monday to Friday from 9am with varied closing times.

There are three dentists, three dental nurses, a dental therapist, two reception staff and a practice manager.

The owner of the practice 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.

We received feedback from patients about the service on 50 CQC comment cards. All the comments were positive about the staff and the services provided. Comments included: the practice was safe and hygienic, staff were very approachable and provided excellent treatment.

Our key findings were:

• There was an effective complaints system. Staff recorded complaints and cascaded learning to staff.
• Staff had received safeguarding training, knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report it.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to manage medical emergencies.
• Infection control procedures were in accordance with the published guidelines.
• 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.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs.
• The practice was well-led and staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The governance systems were effective.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.