We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 15 July 2015.

The practice is owned by Red Rose Dental Group, a subsidiary of Integrated Dental Holdings Group Ltd. There are three dentists in the practice and four part-time dental hygienists. They are supported by six dental nurses, three receptionists and a practice manager.

The practice provides primary NHS dental services to adult patients and to children. There are also a small number of patients who receive private funded dental care. The practice is open each week day from 8.15am until 5.15pm. They are open until 6.30pm on a Monday to enable patients to attend who cannot attend appointments within the normal practice hours.

The practice manager is registered with CQC as the registered manager for the practice. 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 practice manager is also responsible for another group practice about three miles away.

We reviewed comment cards from the practice’s ‘Tell us your experience’ survey and the results from the companies on-line survey. All of the reported findings reflected positive comments about the staff and the services provided. Patients commented that the practice was clean and hygienic, they found the staff very friendly and approachable and they found the quality of the dentistry to be excellent. They said explanations were clear and made the dental experience as comfortable as possible

The practice was providing care which was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Our key findings were:

• The practice recorded and analysed significant events and complaints and cascaded learning to staff.
• Staff had received formal safeguarding training and knew the processes to follow to raise any concerns.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available.
• Infection control procedures were in place and the practice followed published guidance.
• Patient’s care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines, best practice and current legislation.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.
• There was an effective complaints system.
• The practice was well-led and staff felt involved and worked as a team.
• Governance systems were effective and there was a range of clinical and non-clinical audits to monitor the quality of services.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.