We carried out this announced inspection on 28 August 2018 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.

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

Revital Dental Care is in the London Borough of Harrow and provides NHS and private treatment to adults and children.

There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.

The dental team includes two principal dentists, one dentist and a foundation training dentist, three dental nurses and one 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 Revital Dental Care was one of the principal dentists.

On the day of inspection, we collected 32 CQC comment cards filled in by patients.

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

The practice is open:

• Monday 9am to 5pm
• Tuesday and Wednesday 10.30am to 7pm
• Thursday 9am to 1pm
• Friday 9am to 6pm
• Saturday 9am to 2pm

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 practice was providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs.
• The practice had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• 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.
• The practice had suitable information governance arrangements.

Patients told us that they were offered a choice of appointments that suited them. They said that the dentist discussed the various treatment options with them and they were able to go away and think about their treatment plan before making any decisions. The dentist treated both private and NHS patients and the fees for both were clearly displayed in the reception area.

We looked at patients’ records and treatment plans and found them to be detailed and unique to each person. There were appropriate measures in place to deal with foreseeable emergencies.

There was personal protective equipment to protect people from the risk of infection. There were effective measures in place to sterilise dental equipment that was used. The equipment used in the surgery was serviced and maintained in accordance with manufacturers guidelines.

There were appropriate systems in place to identify and manage risks to the health safety and welfare of patients who used the service. Patients were encouraged to feed back their views on the treatment they received by the comments and suggestions box and a patient satisfaction survey.

Patient data was accurate, up to date, fit for purpose and was kept secure.