Heaton Dental Clinic

Updated 5 November 2015

The inspection was carried out on 23 September 2015 and was led by a CQC inspector. The team also included a dentist specialist advisor.

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 three dentists, four dental nurses, a hygienist, the practice manager and two patients. We saw policies and procedures, and other records relating to the management of the service. We reviewed 47 completed Care Quality Commission comment cards.

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 5 November 2015

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 23 September 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 approximately 20,000 patients.

The practice is open: Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm.

There are four dentists, two dental therapists, a hygienist, six dental nurses, a receptionist and a practice manager.

The partnership 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 also received 47 Care Quality Commission comment cards. All the comments were positive about the staff and the services provided.

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 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.