We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 29 May 2015 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

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

Shirley Dental Practice is located in the London Borough of Croydon and provides private dental services. The demographics of the practice was mixed, serving patients’ from a range of social and ethnic backgrounds. The practice is open Monday to Thursdays 9am – 5.15pm and Fridays 9-1pm. The practice facilities include two consultations rooms, reception and waiting area, an administration area and toilet facilities.

The principal dentist is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons 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 39 completed comment cards and spoke with two patients as part of the inspection process. Feedback obtained was very positive referring to staff as caring and friendly and describing the environment at clean and tidy.

Our key findings were:

• There were effective processes in place to reduce and minimise the risk and spread of infection
• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned in line with best practice guidance
• Patients were involved in their care and treatment and treatment planning so they could make informed decisions
• Staff were up to date with their continuing professional development and opportunities existed for all staff to develop
• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties and equipment was maintained appropriately. However tests on equipment were not always documented
• Appropriate governance arrangements were in place to facilitate the smooth running of the service
• There was appropriate equipment and access to emergency drugs to enable the practice to respond to medical emergencies.

People who use the service told us that staff were always friendly and talkative which made them feel at ease. Their treatment was explained to them and they had been consulted at each appointment about the cost of the treatment. They told us their privacy was always respected and the practice was always comfortable and clean and tidy.

People spoke very positively about the attitude, care and treatment provided by the practice team. They told us they were able to make appointments when needed. They told us the practice offered flexibility which was helpful.