People using the practice told us that they were happy with the service provided. They felt their dignity was maintained and their privacy protected. Comments included "The service is excellent" and "My treatment was very clearly explained." They also said the staff were helpful, kind and very friendly.

People using the practice told us they had been given copies of treatment options and the costs involved which they could take away and decide which one to have. They said that the dentists listened to them and talked through all the different treatment options.

People told us that they felt reassured and at ease whilst receiving treatment at the dental practice. Comments included "I don't have any concerns or complaints about the service."

Staff commented "I like working here" and "The provider and practice manager are really nice and well organised." Staff said "Training is good here, we have a good mix of courses available" and "The staff team is small and we get on well together."

We carried out this announced inspection on 28 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 had remote access to a specialist dental adviser.

We told the NHS England Cheshire and Merseyside area team that we were inspecting the practice. We did not receive any information of concern from them.

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

Parkhouse Dental Practice is close to the centre of Winsford and provides dental care and treatment for adults on a privately funded basis and for children on an NHS or privately funded basis. The practice also provides a dental sedation service on a private basis.

The provider has installed a ramp available to facilitate access to the practice for wheelchair users. The practice has three treatment rooms. Car parking is available at the practice.

The dental team includes a principal dentist, two associate dentists, three dental hygiene therapists, four dental nurses, two of whom are trainees. The team is supported by a practice manager.

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 four people during the inspection about the services provided. The feedback provided was positive about the practice.

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

The practice is open:

Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 5.30pm

Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was clean and well maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures in place which reflected published guidance.
• The practice had safeguarding processes in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• The practice had systems in place to help them manage risk.
• The practice had staff recruitment procedures in place.
• 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 took patients’ needs into account. Dedicated emergency appointments were available.
• The practice had a leadership structure. Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice asked patients and staff for feedback about the services they provided.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medical emergency medicines and equipment were available with the exception of additional medical emergency oxygen. The dental nurse assisting with sedation had basic medical emergency and life support training but not to the recommended immediate life support level.
• The practice had a procedure in place for dealing with complaints but the information for patients did not included details of NHS England.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

• Review staff training, the checking of equipment and the availability of additional medical oxygen to manage medical emergencies taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK), and the General Dental Council standards for the dental team.
• Review the security of prescription pads in the practice and ensure there are systems in place to monitor and track their use.