We carried out this announced inspection on 4 May 2017 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 Cheshire and Merseyside area team and Healthwatch that we were inspecting the practice. We did not receive any information of concern from them.

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

Baran & Hull Dental Practice is located in the centre of Nantwich and provides treatment to patients of all ages on a privately funded basis, and to children only on an NHS funded basis.

The entire practice is at ground floor level. Car parking is available near the practice in public car parks.

The dental team includes two principal dentists and four dental nurses who also carry out reception duties. The team is supported by a practice manager. The practice has two treatment rooms.

The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have in place a person registered with the Care Quality Commission as the registered manager. Registered managers have a legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at Baran & Hull Dental Practice is the principal dentist.

We received feedback from 43 people during the inspection about the services provided. We also received feedback from 45 people through the Care Quality Commission ‘Share your Experience’ facility on their website. The feedback provided was very positive about the practice.

During the inspection we spoke to the dentists, the dental nurses and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was clean and well maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures in place which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medical emergency medicines and equipment were available.
• The practice had systems in place to help them manage risk.
• The practice had safeguarding processes in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures in place.
• Staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• The practice had a procedure in place for dealing with complaints.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.

• The appointment system took patients’ needs into account. Dedicated emergency appointments were available.

• The practice had a leadership structure. Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice asked patients and staff for feedback about the services they provided.

During our visit we spoke to three patients and they told us that they were very happy with the service they received. One of them said; "It's very professional and they are very approachable here. I couldn't be happier."

We spoke to three members of staff including the lead dentist who told us that they enjoyed working there and that they prided themselves on providing an excellent service to their patients.

We looked at the cleanliness of the surgery and the safety processes that they have in place to protect the health of their patients. We looked at the policies and procedures that related to safeguarding adults and children and found that the staff were clear about their responsibilities.

We looked at their complaints procedure and found that it was clear and a copy was available to all patients.