We carried out this announced inspection on 20 March 2019 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 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

Museum Street Dental Practice is close to the centre of Warrington. The practice provides NHS and private dental care for adults and children.

The provider had a portable ramp available to facilitate access to the practice for people with wheelchairs and pushchairs. Car parking is available near the practice.

The dental team includes a principal dentist, five associate dentists, a dental hygiene therapist, eight dental nurses, two of whom are trainees, a decontamination operative and three receptionists. The dental team is supported by a practice manager. The practice has six 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.

We received feedback from 36 people during the inspection about the services provided. The feedback provided was mostly positive.

During the inspection we spoke to dentists, dental nurses, receptionists 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 8.45am to 5.30pm.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was clean and well maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures in place which reflected published guidance.
• The provider had safeguarding procedures in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and equipment were available.
• The provider had thorough staff recruitment procedures in place.
• Staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• The dental team provided preventive care and supported patients to achieve better oral health.
• 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 provider had a procedure in place for dealing with complaints. The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
• The practice had a leadership and management structure and a culture of continuous improvement.
• The provider had systems in place to manage risk.
• 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. They should:

• Review the practice’s fixed electrical installation status to ensure all areas of the premises are fit for the purpose for which they are being used.