We carried out this announced inspection on 25 October 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.

We told the NHS England area team and Healthwatch that we were inspecting the practice. They did not have any relevant information to share with us regarding this dental practice.

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

Osmaston Road Dental Practice is located in the centre of Derby. The practice provides private dental treatments to patients of all ages.

The practice is located on two floors with three treatment rooms, two of which are located on the ground floor. There is level access into the practice and the ground floor treatment rooms. There is a pay and display car park close to the practice.

The dental team includes three dentists; one dental hygienist; one dental therapist; two qualified dental nurses; one receptionist; one trainee dental nurse; a practice manager and a director.

The practice is owned by an organisation 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 the practice was one of the directors.

On the day of inspection we collected 39 completed CQC comment cards. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.

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

The practice opening hours are: Monday to Wednesday: 9 am to 5 pm; Thursday: 9 am to 7 pm and Friday: 9 am to 5 pm.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was clean and well maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which followed published guidance.
• The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided, and received positive feedback.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risks in the practice, particularly with regard to health and safety.
• The practice had suitable safeguarding processes. Staff had been trained and knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• The practice had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
• There was a planned programme of refurbishment which was due to be implemented in the months after this inspection.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took measures to protect their privacy and personal information.
• The practice completed regular audits and used the information to make improvements. The practice was reviewing its systems to improve the way it audited its services.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs.
• The practice had effective leadership. Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice did not have an induction hearing loop to assist patients who used a hearing aid.
• A programme of refurbishment was planned to improve the clinical areas of the practice.
• The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Review their responsibilities to the needs of people with a disability, including those with hearing difficulties and the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.
• Review the suitability of the premises and ensure all parts are fit for the purpose for which they are being used.
• Review the practice’s systems for analysing the results of audits and reviews to identify, share and act on areas for improvement.