We carried out this announced inspection on 23 January 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.

We told the NHS England 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

S Patel & Associates is in Bury and provides NHS and private dental treatment to adults and children.

There is level access to the ground floor for people who use wheelchairs and pushchairs. On street parking is available near the practice.

The dental team includes four dentists, six dental nurses, a dental hygiene therapist, two receptionists and a practice manager. The practice has five treatment rooms. S Patel & Associates is a foundation training practice. Dental foundation training is a post-qualification training period, mainly in general dental practice, which UK graduates need to undertake in order to work in NHS practice.

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.

On the day of inspection we collected 40 CQC comment cards filled in by patients. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.

During the inspection we spoke with three dentists, three dental nurses, the dental hygiene therapist, one receptionist 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, Wednesday and Thursday 9am to 6pm

Tuesday and Friday 9am to 5pm

Our key findings were:

• The practice was 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.

During the visit, we spoke with two people who use the service. They told us the treatment options were clearly explained to them and they were asked for written consent for treatment during each visit.

The people we spoke with told us they had used the services for over 20 years and were happy with the services provided. They told us they could get an appointment within 24 hours if they needed emergency treatment.

The people we spoke with told us the treatment rooms and dental instruments were clean. One person told us that some of the décor needed refurbishment but they were confident the treatment areas were clean and safe.

The people we spoke with told us they found the staff to be very helpful and knowledgeable. They also told us that they had no concerns about the services they received and would speak to the Responsible Individual if they had any concerns.