We carried out this announced inspection on 1 December 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

Bright and White Dental is located in Chingford in the London Borough of Redbridge. The practice provides private dental treatments to patients of all ages.

There is located on the ground floor of a purpose adapted premises. The practice has two treatment rooms.

The practice is conveniently located close to public transport links.

The dental team includes the principal dentist, one associate dentist, one dental hygienist, one dental nurse and one receptionist / practice manager

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.

We received feedback from 41 patients via CQC comment cards and speaking with patients. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.

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

The practice is open between 9am and 3pm on Mondays to Saturdays for new patient registrations and appointment booking. Appointments are available between 9am and 3pm on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Late evening appointments are available upon request.

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 assess and 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 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.

People’s needs were assessed and care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with their individual treatment plan. People told us they were very happy with the treatment they received. Comments included "I was really happy with them" and "the quality of service is excellent." We found that any fees payable were clearly explained to people. The service had a supply of oxygen and medication for use in a medical emergency.

There were effective systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. People we spoke with told us they found the practice to be clean and that staff wore protective clothing. One person said "I give it 10 out of 10 for cleanliness." We found that there were effective systems in place for cleaning and sterilising instruments used in treatment.

Staff received appropriate professional development. We found that staff undertook various training courses, including training about decontamination and infection control and dealing with medical emergencies. The service had systems in place for dealing with complaints. We found that records were accurate and up to date and stored securely.