We spoke with four people who used the service on the day of the review. They told us they were happy with the service provided. They felt their dignity was maintained and their privacy protected. Comments included "The service is very good", "The staff are friendly" and "I have been attending this practice for ten years and I am happy with the service provided." They also said the staff were helpful, kind and very friendly. People who used the service told us that the dentists had discussed treatment options and costs with them. People said they felt reassured and at ease whilst they received treatment at the dental practice. Comments included "The environment is excellent - recently refurbished", "I don't have any concerns or complaints about the service", "They are very good here" and "The practice is very clean."

We spoke with four staff members. They commented "The provider and practice manager are very helpful and supportive", "The staff team are friendly and helpful", "The training is good here" and "I really enjoy working here, the people are very friendly."

We found that all seven outcome areas reviewed were compliant.

We carried out this announced inspection on 6 March 2019 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 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

Rudheath Dental Health Centre is near the centre of Northwich. The practice provides NHS and private dental care for adults and children.

There is level access to facilitate entrance to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and for people with pushchairs. Car parking is available outside the practice.

The dental team includes the principal dentist, an associate dentist, a dental hygiene therapist, and three dental nurses. The dental team is supported by a practice manager who is also a qualified dental nurse. The practice has three treatment rooms.

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

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

The practice is open:

Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 5.00pm

Friday 9.00am to 2.00pm.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was clean and well maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures in place which reflected published guidance.
• The provider had safeguarding procedures in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and equipment were available.
• The provider had staff recruitment procedures in place. Recruitment checks were not always carried out at the appropriate time.
• Staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• The dental team provided preventive care and supported patients to achieve better oral health.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• The provider had a procedure in place for dealing with complaints. The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
• The practice had a leadership and management structure and a culture of continuous improvement.
• The provider had systems in place to manage risk. Some risks had not been assessed.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice asked patients for feedback about the services they provided.

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

• Review the practice's Legionella risk assessment and implement any recommended actions, taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, and having regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.’
• Review the practice's recruitment procedures to ensure that appropriate checks are completed prior to new staff commencing employment at the practice.
• Review the practice’s protocols for ensuring that all clinical staff have adequate immunity for vaccine-preventable infectious diseases.
• Review the practice’s arrangements for responding to patient safety alerts, recalls and rapid response reports issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the Central Alerting System and other relevant bodies, such as Public Health England.