We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 18 November 2016 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

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

Located close to Winsford town centre, facilities at the practice are located on the ground floor and include two surgeries, a reception and waiting area and a patient toilet. The practice offers a full range of NHS dental services and also provides a selection of cosmetic treatments, including tooth whitening and dentures. The premises have been adapted to support access for people with a disability. Free parking is available close by.

The practice is open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:30 and closes for lunch each day from 13:00 to 14:00. The dental team comprises one full time dentist supported by two locum dentists, three dental nurses, a dental hygienist, a registered manager and a receptionist.

The practice manager is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons 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 reviewed 25 CQC comment cards on the day of our visit; patients were extremely positive about the staff and standard of care provided by the practice. Patients commented that they felt involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be helpful, respectful, friendly and were treated in a clean and tidy environment.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was well organised, visibly clean and free from clutter.
• An infection prevention and control policy was in place. We saw the sterilisation procedures followed recommended guidance.
• The practice had systems for recording incidents and accidents.
• Practice meetings were used for shared learning.
• The practice had a safeguarding policy and staff were aware on how to escalate safeguarding issues for children and adults should the need arise.
• Staff received annual medical emergency training. Equipment for dealing with medical emergencies reflected guidance from the resuscitation council.
• Dental professionals provided treatment in accordance with current professional guidelines.
• Patient feedback was regularly sought and reflected upon.
• Patients could access urgent care when required.
• Dental professionals were maintaining their continued professional development (CPD) in accordance with their professional registration.
• Complaints were dealt with in an efficient and sensitive manner.
• The practice was actively involved in promoting oral health.

People told us they were happy with the care and treatment provided and had no concerns. Comments from them included; "I always see the same dentist. They are very nice and pleasant. I have no complaints", "It is my first time here. I don't like going to the dentist but they have made me feel relaxed and at ease here" and "The staff are fine here. I complained once but it was resolved quickly and amicably. I have no concerns".

Patients told us that following any appointment, they were asked to fill in a feedback form. This gave them an opportunity to comment on the service that was provided. In addition to this, we saw the provider had also recently sent out surveys to some people who used the service.

We examined continuous professional development (CPD) for all staff who worked at the practice. We found they were all up-to-date in their training in relation to the safeguarding of vulnerable adults and child protection.

At the start of our inspection we were given a tour of the premises by a dental nurse. We found the practice to be clean throughout.

We spoke with two members of staff. They both told us they felt supported by the management team. We saw that each staff member had a professional development portfolio which contained a training log and certificates to verify that all staff had completed recent training courses relevant to their role such as first aid, health and safety, safeguarding, and infection control.