We carried out this announced inspection on 31 January 2018 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 did not provide any information of concern.

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

MCM (Dental Services) Limited is in Wakefield and provides NHS and private treatment for adults and children.

There is a stair lift to access the premises for patients with restricted mobility. Access for wheelchair users is not possible. Wheelchair users are signposted to a fully accessible local practice. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.

The dental team includes seven dentists, seven dental nurses, one dental hygienist, three receptionists and a practice manager. The practice has four treatment rooms.

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 MCM (Dental Services) Limited was the practice manager.

On the day of inspection we collected 20 CQC comment cards filled in by patients. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.

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

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday from 7:40am to 8:30pm

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 took account of patients’ needs.
• The practice had effective leadership. Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice asked patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.

People told us that staff explained all the procedures and treatments to them and respected their decisions about their treatment and care. One person said "they (dentists) are brilliant, they tell me as it is and if there is a problem it is my call.”

People who used the service told us they were happy with the care and treatment they received at the practice. One person said, "they (staff) always ring the day before to remind you of your appointment which is really good.”

We found people received care and treatment in a clean environment with infection control measures in place to minimise the risk of infection. People we spoke with told us the unit was always clean and tidy. One person told us the surgery was “very clean.”

The provider had effective recruitment and selection procedures in place to ensure that staff were appropriately employed.

The provider had an appropriate system in place for gathering, recording and evaluating information about the quality and safety of care the service provides. People who used the service and their representatives were asked for their views about their care and treatment.