We found the premises to be clean and hygienic with systems in place to monitor the standards of infection control and general service delivery. We observed that the reception area and the waiting room was clean and bright and displayed posters promoting healthy oral hygiene and health promotion information. A range of leaflets were available and there was a variety of preventive advice and equipment offered.

We spoke with five patients who attended the surgery for appointments. All patients spoke positively about the surgery and the staff. People told us they were treated with respect and dignity. The five patients spoken with confirmed that their medical histories were taken and that they signed their treatment plan. Patients told us that available options were discussed with them, including a treatment plan and the cost.

Patients we spoke with said they knew what they would do in the event of having to make a complaint. We were told that they were very satisfied with the care, treatment and advice provided at the practice and did not have any concerns about the service they received.

Examples of comments included: "The dentist is great, I always feel well informed about what is available to me," "the staff are always helpful and have given me useful advice" and "the dentist has been brilliant, my ‘X’ has a disability and they are great and have helped advice me appropriately. I do appreciate how they have helped us as a family."

We carried out this announced inspection on 21 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.

We told the NHS England area team that we were inspecting the practice. We did not receive any information of concern from them.

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

Greenwood Dental Practice is close to the centre of Altrincham and provides dental care and treatment to adults and children on a privately funded basis, and children on an NHS funded basis.

There is one step at the entrance to the practice. The practice has a portable ramp available to facilitate access to the practice for wheelchair users. The practice has three treatment rooms. Car parking is available nearby.

The dental team includes a principal dentist, three associate dentists, a dental hygiene therapist, a dental hygienist, six dental nurses and one receptionist. The team is supported by a practice manager.

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.

We received feedback from 49 people during the inspection about the services provided. The feedback provided was positive about the practice.

During the inspection we spoke to the principal dentist, two associate dentists, dental nurses, the receptionist and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 9.00am to 5.30pm

Tuesday 9.00am to 7.00pm

Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm

On two Saturdays in each month the practice is open 9.00am to 1.00pm.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was clean and well maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures in place which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medical emergency medicines and equipment were available.
• The practice had systems in place to help them manage and reduce risk.
• The practice had safeguarding processes in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• The practice had robust staff recruitment procedures in place.
• Staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• The practice had a procedure in place for dealing with complaints.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• The appointment system took patients’ needs into account. Dedicated emergency appointments were available.
• The practice had a leadership structure. Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice asked patients and staff for feedback about the services they provided.

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

• Review the practice’s system for the recording, investigating and reviewing of incidents or significant events with a view to preventing further occurrences and ensuring that improvements are made where necessary.