We carried out this announced inspection on 23 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

Oasis Dental Care Central - Wellingborough is Northamptonshire and provides NHS and private treatment to patients of all ages. The practice is contracted to offer out of hours care via the NHS 111 service.

There is lift access for people who use wheelchairs and pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including for patients with disabled badges, are available near the practice.

The dental team includes five dentists, five dental nurses, one dental hygienist, one dental hygienist therapist, four receptionists, a practice co-ordinator and a practice manager. The practice has four 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 Oasis Dental Care Central – Wellingborough was the practice manager.

On the day of inspection we collected 13 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, four dental nurses, one dental hygiene therapist, two receptionists, a compliance manager and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open seven days a week from 8 am to 8 pm.

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 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.

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

• Review the security of prescription pads in the practice and ensure there are systems in place to track and monitor their use.

• Review staff awareness of the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and ensure all staff are aware of their responsibilities under the Act as it relates to their role.

• Review staff awareness of Gillick competency and ensure all staff are aware of their responsibilities .

We found that the surgery had level access throughout, parking for blue badge holders close by and accessible toilet facilities making it accessible to people with limited mobility.

We spoke with one patient who told us that the dentist explained any treatment and options and always asked about any changes in medication or medical history. The patient explained that they originally came requiring an emergency appointment but now attends as a regular patient and described the dentist as “excellent”.

We looked at the comments book that was available in reception for patients to note their comments and suggestions. We saw that 24 comments had been made in December 2013 and January 2014. All 24 comments were positive, such as “friendly and professional” and “absolutely brilliant”.

We saw that the provider had carried out an audit against the Essential Standards of Quality and Safety. This included identifying areas where actions were needed. The practice also carried out an infection control audit to ensure that appropriate guidance was being adhered to and that the surgery was clean and hygienic.