Patients we spoke with told us the staff were friendly, professional and very welcoming. They said they were given choice of appointment times and emergencies were given a high priority.

Patient's privacy and dignity was respected; all consultations and treatment were undertaken in the privacy of the dentist’s and dental hygienist's treatment rooms.

Patient's medical history was checked at each examination, any changes in medication or health status were updated. This informed the dentist of any issues which could impact upon treatment options.

Effective systems were in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. Patients told us the practice and treatment rooms were always very clean and well maintained.

We spoke with two patient's who received a service on the day of our visit and two children who were accompanied by an adult. All were happy with the service they received. Each told us the dentist explained everything they were doing as they went along. This ensured people were informed at all stages of their treatment.

Patients were provided a range of options and were consulted with in relation to their choices and the cost implications. One patient said ''You know what you are paying for and the price list is displayed online too.'' Another spoke of the dentists' rapport with children and said ''The dentist is lovely with them...X broke their tooth and they got us an appointment the same day. I am amazed, you wouldn't know where it was broken...''

We carried out this announced inspection on 13 November 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

Dr Ketan Karlekar - Winslow, trading as Winslow Dental Practice and is based in Winslow, and provides NHS and private treatment to patients of all ages.

The practice is based on the first floor and as such cannot treat patients who find stairs a barrier. New patients are advised of this when they first contact the practice.

The dental team includes the principal dentist, one hygieninst, one dental nurse and a receptionist. The practice has two private treatment rooms.

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.

On the day of inspection we collected 25 CQC comment cards filled in by patients prior to our visit and obtained the views of four other patients.

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

The practice is open 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and Saturdays by appointment. The practice closes between 1pm and 2pm daily.

Our key findings were:

• 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 missing in places but were ordered on the day.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk with the exception of fire safety. This was addressed on the day.
• 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 had systems in place to deal with complaints positively and efficiently.

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

• Review the current staffing arrangements to ensure all dental care professionals are adequately supported by a trained member of the dental team when treating patients in a dental setting taking into account the guidance issued by the General Dental Council.