We carried out this announced inspection on 25 February 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 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

South Devon Dental is in Paignton and private treatment to adults and children.

The premises are not suitable for wheelchair users. Potential patients enquiring for treatments are signposted to alternative local dental services. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.

The dental team includes 11 dentists, three dental nurses, three apprentice dental nurses, one reception manager, two receptionists, one nurse/receptionist, one dental hygienist, one dental hygiene therapist and a practice manager (who is also a dental nurse). The practice has four treatment rooms.

The practice is owned by a company 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 South Devon Dental was the principal dentist.

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

During the inspection we spoke with one dentist, one dental nurse, one apprentice dental nurse, the reception manager, 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 8am – 6pm. Tuesday 8am – 6pm. Wednesday 8am – 8pm.

Thursday 8am – 8pm. Friday 8am – 5pm. Saturday 9am – 1pm.

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
• The practice staff 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 staff had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• 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 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 staff dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
• The practice staff had suitable information governance arrangements.

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

• Review the practice's recruitment procedures to ensure that appropriate checks are completed prior to new staff commencing employment at the practice.

• Review the prescribing arrangements for medicines in the practice, taking into account the guidelines issued by the British National Formulary and the General Dental Council.

• Review the practice's protocols for completion of dental care records taking into account the guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice.