We carried out this announced inspection on 26 July 2017 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. A CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser led the inspection.

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

The Dental Lounge is a newly established practice that provides private treatment to patients of all ages. The dental team consists of one dentist, one hygienist, two nurses and a practice manager who support about 500 patients. The practice has one treatment room, although is in the process of refurbishment to add more. There is ramp access for people who use wheelchairs and pushchairs.

The practice is open on Mondays from 2pm to 5pm, on Wednesdays from 9am to 1pm, and on Fridays from 2pm-5pm.

The principal dentist, who is also the owner, is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual. 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.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, a dental nurse and the practice manager. We looked at the practice’s policies and procedures, and other records about how the service was managed. We collected 25 comment cards filled in by patients prior to our inspection.

Our key findings were:

• We received many very positive comments from patients about the dental care they received and the staff who delivered it.

• The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for protecting adults and children.

• The practice was clean and well maintained and had infection control procedures that 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 thorough staff recruitment procedures.

• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.

• Staff felt well supported by the practice owner, and there were regular practice meetings