Duke Street Dental Practice Also known as Mr & Mrs Daniel & Joanne Oliver

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 31 January 2017 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

Established in 2013, Duke Street Dental Practice is situated in Darlington, County Durham and provides predominantly NHS treatment to all patients. There are four treatment rooms, a dedicated decontamination room for sterilising dental instruments, a combined reception and waiting area, and a staff room. Car parking is available on the side-streets near the practice and a pay and display car park is adjacent to the practice. Access for wheelchair users or pushchairs is possible via a portable ramp and a ground floor treatment room can be used for those who require it.

The practice is open:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 0815:1700

Tuesday 0815:1800

The dental team is comprised of the two principal dentists, one of whom is the registered manager, an associate dentist, two dental therapists, seven dental nurses and one receptionist.

One of principal dentists 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 reviewed 37 CQC comment cards on the day of our visit; patients were very positive about the staff and standard of care provided by the practice. Patients commented they found staff to be very caring and felt they were treated in a clean and tidy environment.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was well organised, visibly clean and free from clutter.
• Staff were very friendly, caring and enthusiastic.
• An Infection prevention and control policy was in place and sterilisation procedures followed recommended guidance.
• Dental professionals provided treatment in accordance with current professional guidelines.
• Dental professionals were maintaining their continued professional development (CPD) in accordance with their professional registration.
• Complaints were dealt with in an efficient and positive manner.
• Staff received annual medical emergency training.
• Equipment for dealing with medical emergencies reflected guidance from the resuscitation council.
• The practice had systems for recording incidents and accidents.
• Practice meetings were used for shared learning.
• Patient feedback was regularly sought and reflected upon.
• Patients could access urgent care when required.
• Staff were aware on how to escalate safeguarding issues for children and adults should the need arise.
• The principal dentist received safety alerts from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and distributed these amongst all staff within the practice.
• Each member of staff was involved in the running of the practice and designated lead of a specific activity. Staff satisfaction appeared conducive to the overall positive atmosphere.
• The practice was involved in promoting oral health at various schools and/or scouting groups. A ‘sugar-display’ board was placed in the waiting area; this was regularly updated to show the quantity of sugar in various food products.