We carried out this announced inspection on 13 February 2018, under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We planned the inspection to check whether the registered provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.

We told the NHS England area team that we were inspecting the practice. They did not provide any information.

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 form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

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

Amber Dental is in London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thamesand provides NHS and private treatment to patients of all ages.

There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs.

The dental team includes one dentist, one foundation dentist, two dental nurses, one dental hygienist, and one receptionist. The practice has two treatment rooms.

The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.

On the day of inspection, we received feedback from 50 patients. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.

During the inspection, we spoke with one dentist, one foundation dentist, two dental nurses and the receptionist. We looked at practice policies, procedures, and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

• Monday: 9:00am to 6:30pm

• Tuesday: 9:00am to 5:00pm

• Wednesday: 9:00am to 4:30pm

• Thursday: 9:00am to 5:30pm

• Friday: 9:00am to 2:00pm

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures that reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk.
• The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• The practice had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs.
• The practice had effective leadership. Staff felt involved, supported, and worked well as a team.
• The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.

People who use the service said that they were satisfied with it and way it was provided. "I'm very happy with the practice and treatment I've received". "The service is delivered in a pleasant and friendly way that doesn't feel too medical and makes me feel relaxed". They had the consultation procedure, fees and treatments explained to them, that included any risks attached to treatments. They told us they were treated with dignity and respect by staff and felt safe using the service.

They did not comment on the practice safeguarding or infection control systems. They did tell us they thought the practice was kept clean, tidy and observed their right to privacy.