We carried out this unannounced inspection on 07 and 11 September 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. A further visit was carried out on 11 September 2017.

We found that the provider was meeting all the legal requirements and associated regulations.

We told NHS England and Healthwatch that we were inspecting the practice. NHS England shared with us information that we took into account.

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

Newholme Dental Practice is located in Bognor Regis. It provides NHS and private treatment to patients of all ages.

The practice is located on two floors. There are three treatment rooms including a wheelchair accessible treatment room on the ground floor and a decontamination room. There is a separate reception area and patient waiting room.

The dental team includes two principal dentists, two hygienists, three qualified dental nurses, one trainee dental nurse. All dental nurses perform a dual role as receptionist.

The practice is owned by a partnership 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 Newholme Dental Practice was one of the principal dentists.

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

We spoke with six patients who gave us a positive view of the practice.

The practice is open: Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm and Friday from 9am to 1pm.

Our key findings were:

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