We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on on 13 and 14 August 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.

Background

St Cuthbert’s dental surgery is a ground and first floor practice which is situated in the centre of Winchester, Hampshire.

The practice offered private dental care services between 8.30am and 5pm from Monday to Thursday and 8.30am – 1pm on Friday to patients of all ages. Services provided included preventative advice and treatment together with routine, restorative and cosmetic dental care which included implants.

The provider, Dr Jonathan Krum shared the practice facilities with two other dentists who were each separately registered with CQC. Staff and facilities were shared and patients could register with either of the dentists.

Dr Krum was registered as an individual and was legally responsible for making sure that the practice met the requirements relating to safety and quality of care, as specified in the regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

We reviewed 50 completed CQC comment cards, gathered views of 11 patients on the day of our inspection and reviewed patient feedback gathered by the practice over the last 12 months. All of the 61 patients who provided feedback for our inspection were positive about the care they received from the practice. They commented that staff were very friendly and caring and that dentists listened, were courteous, professional and took time to explain every step of treatment.

We found that this practice was providing safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Our key findings were:

• The practice assessed and managed risks to patients. These included infection prevention and control, health and safety and the management of medical emergencies.
• Staff ensured patients gave their consent before treatment began. Dental care records we looked at were detailed and showed on-going monitoring of patients’ oral health.
• Staff had received training appropriate to their roles.
• Staff were knowledgeable about patient confidentiality and we observed good interaction between staff and patients during the inspection.
• Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed. There were clear instructions for patients regarding out of hours care.
• There were clearly defined leadership roles in place and staff told us they felt well supported and comfortable to raise concerns or make suggestions.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

• Ensure actions identified from the risk assessments, undertaken in June 2015, are carried out.
•  Ensure all areas of the premises are suitable for the purpose for which they are being used.
• Carry out staff appraisals in a timely manner.