We carried out this announced inspection on 18 July 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.

We told the NHS England area team and Healthwatch that we were inspecting the practice. They provided information which we took into account.

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

Genix Healthcare Dental Clinic – Middlesbrough is located in Teesside and is part of the Genix Healthcare Ltd group of practices. The practice provides NHS and private treatment to adults and children.

There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.

The dental team includes the practice manager, three dentists, 12 dental nurses including two trainees, a dental hygiene and therapist and a receptionist. The practice has five treatment rooms. A compliance lead oversees all the practices in the region.

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 Genix Healthcare Dental Clinic – Middlesbrough was the compliance lead.

On the day of inspection we collected eight CQC comment cards filled in by patients. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.

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

The practice is open:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday 08:30 - 17:15

Tuesday and Thursday 08:30 - 19:00

Saturday 09:00 – 1300

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 and should:

• Review the practice’s procedures for closed-circuit television (CCTV) and compliance with the information commissioner’s office protocols (ICO).
• Review the practice’s radiography procedures and protocols to ensure the recommendations from the X-ray maintenance tests are implemented.
• Review staff awareness of Gillick competency and the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and ensure all staff are aware of their responsibilities as it relates to their role.

People said that they were happy with the service provided. They felt their dignity was maintained and their privacy protected. They were encouraged to ask questions and felt staff had the time to answer their questions.