We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 8 December 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 not providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
The practice is owned by Dr. Richard Grant.
The practice offers
primary care dentistry under the NHS and private treatments and procedures from purpose built premises.
The practice is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm.
There are three dentists, five dental nurses, two trainee dental nurses, two hygienists and two receptionists. The practice has five dental surgeries.
Dr Richard Grant, the principal dentist 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 via 44 Care Quality Commission comment cards. All the comments were positive about the staff and the services provided. Comments included: staff are very friendly, excellent, professional and supportive.
Our key findings were:
- There was an effective complaints system.
- 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 place.
- Patient care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines 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 their confidentiality was maintained.
- Patients could access routine treatment and urgent care when required.
- Staff felt involved and supported, and worked well as a team.
- The governance systems were not fully effective.
- The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.
We identified regulations that were not being met and the provider must:
• Ensure audits of various aspects of the service, such as radiography, dental care records and infection control are undertaken at regular intervals to help improve the quality of service. The practice must also ensure all audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.
• Ensure that all staff receive annual appraisals.
You can see full details of the regulations not being met at the end of this report.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:
• Review the frequency that Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) takes place and ensure that the tests are undertaken when recommended.