We carried out this announced inspection on 9 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.

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

Boldmere Dental Practice is in Sutton Coldfield and provides private dental treatment to patients of all ages.

There is ramped access for people who use wheelchairs and pushchairs. On street parking is available near the practice as well as a nearby private car park, which includes spaces for patients with disabled badges.

The dental team includes two dentists, four qualified and one trainee dental nurse, two dental hygienists, one dental hygienist therapist, a practice/business manager and a receptionist. The practice has three treatment rooms.

The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the Care Quality Commission as the registered manager. Registered managers have 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 Boldmere Dental Practice was the principal dentist.

On the day of inspection we collected thirteen CQC comment cards filled in by patients. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.

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

The practice is open: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8.30am to 5.30pm, Tuesday 8.30am to 8.30pm, Friday 8.30am to 2.30pm and one Saturday each month from 9.00am to 12.30pm.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was clean and well maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which 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 recently amended their staff recruitment procedures to ensure all required information was obtained prior to employment.
• 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. Patients were able to book appointments on line via the practice website.
• The practice had effective leadership. Staff felt involved and 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.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

Consider arrangements for patients with hearing difficulties.