We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 8 November 2016 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

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

Dentata Charta provides both private and NHS treatment to adults and children. The team consists of three dentists, two part-time hygienists, four dental nurses, a receptionist and practice manager.

The practice is situated in a converted residential property and has four treatment rooms, an x-ray room and a decontamination room for sterilising dental instruments. There are two waiting areas, a reception area, technician’s lab, offices and staff room.

The practice is open on Mondays to Thursdays from 8.30am to 5.30pm, and on Fridays from 7.30am to 3pm.

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

Before the inspection we sent comment cards to the practice for patients to complete to tell us about their experience of the practice. We received feedback from 23 patients. These provided a very positive view of the service provided.

Our key findings were:

• Information from 23 completed Care Quality Commission comment cards gave us a positive picture of a caring, professional and high quality service.

• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.

• The practice had systems to help ensure patient safety. These included safeguarding children and adults from abuse, maintaining the required standards of infection prevention and control, and responding to medical emergencies.

• Risk assessment was robust and action was taken to protect staff and patients.

• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered in line with current best practice guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and other published guidance.

• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified and competent staff. Members of the dental team were up-to-date with their continuing professional development and supported to meet the requirements of their professional registration.

• There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted upon.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

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

We spoke with four people as they were waiting for treatment or immediately after

receiving treatment. One person had seen the same dentist for five years and told us, “I have never felt pain during treatment and I have had quite extensive work done. He explains the risks and benefits well. The quality of the work done has been good.”

Another person told us, "This is my second visit. I have been with this dentist for a long time and transferred over with him. He explains treatments and the risks and benefits well. The cost of the treatment is explained at the 1st consultation and I have time to consider before agreeing. I have no issues with cleanliness and hygiene. My medical history is discussed at every visit. Appointment times are flexible. I feel I can raise concerns. I trust the dentist."