Patients we spoke with were very complimentary about the service. One patient told us “It’s the quality of the service that keeps me coming back.” Another patient told us “It took a long time to find a good dentist, I’m very happy with the service.” One member of staff told us “The patient in the chair is in charge of their treatment.”

We saw patients were asked for their consent before treatment was undertaken. The provider gave patients comprehensive treatment plans. These outlined the proposed treatments, risks and costs to ensure patients could make an informed decision. Staff were aware of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and how this impacted upon people's ability to consent to treatment.

We were told of the process for registering new patients, emergency appointments and completing treatment plans. We looked at six treatment plans and saw notes were consistent with the treatment provided. Medical histories were updated as necessary. One patient told us “They always ask if my medication has changed.”

Staff had a working knowledge of safeguarding issues and how to address these when providing care and treatment. They had access to relevant policies and guidance around safeguarding and were able to demonstrate how they would escalate any safeguarding concerns. This demonstrated that people's safety and welfare was appropriately met.

We carried out this announced inspection on 31 October 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.

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

Dental Art Limited is in Beaconsfield and provides private treatment to patients of all ages.

There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including one for blue badge holders, are available at the front of the practice.

The dental team includes one dentist, one dental nurse, one receptionist. The practice has one treatment room.

The practice is owned by an organisation 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 Dental Art Limited was the principal dentist.

On the day of our inspection we collected 18 CQC comment cards filled in by patients. The practice was closed during our inspection which meant we did not have the opportunity to gather the views of other patients.

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

The practice is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday.

Our key findings were:

• We found a number of shortfalls during our inspection, all of which have been addressed.
• The practice appeared 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 did monitored equipment to ensure it was safe.
• The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• 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 practice was providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice had systems in place to deal with complaints efficiently.