We carried out this announced inspection on 10 August 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 Cheshire and Merseyside area team and Healthwatch 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

Latchford Dental Practice is close to the village centre of Latchford and provides dental care and treatment to adults and children on an NHS and privately funded basis. NHS funded orthodontic treatment is also provided at the practice.

The front entrance to the practice has a handrail positioned alongside to assist patients with limited mobility. The practice is accessible for wheelchair users and for those with pushchairs. Car parking is available near the practice. The practice has three treatment rooms.

The dental team includes a principal dentist, five associate dentists, a specialist orthodontist, six dental nurses, two of whom are trainees, and two receptionists. Two of the dental nurses also carry out reception duties. The team is supported by a practice manager.

The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have in place a person registered with the Care Quality Commission as the registered manager. Registered managers have a 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 Latchford Dental Practice is the practice manager.

We received feedback from 24 people during the inspection about the services provided. The feedback provided was positive about the practice.

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

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm.

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 risk.
• The practice had safeguarding processes in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• The practice had 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.

We spoke to patients who were visiting the practice during our visit. They said that they were happy with all aspects of the service provided and had no complaints. Patients told us they were given lots of information about their treatment and knew what to expect. They commented that they felt the level of service was really good , I feel comfortable coming here “ “a fabulous dentist, excellent service and support .”

They stated they were always consulted and they gave full consent about their treatment and check ups and were aware of their costs. They told us there was always a dental nurse assisting the dentist and they could ask as many questions as they wanted about their care.

The patients we spoke to told us that the care they experienced was “exceptional and the staff are always supportive.” They told us they were happy with the level of service and care offered and that they were offered advice and good tips regarding health promotion.

They said that they had no complaints and that the service from all staff was excellent. Patients told us they felt safe and well looked after when they visited the service.

A recent patient survey carried out by the service gave overall positive comments about patients experiences and this information had been collated. Comments from people who had completed the survey said " very impressed with this dentist, " great service, " efficient professional staff" and " very helpful receptionist" were seen.