People we spoke with told us how the practice obtained consent. One person commented, “We fill out forms and I also give verbal consent. I have the choice to refuse treatment.” This meant before treatment began consent was sought.

People said they were aware of the different treatment options and were involved in any decisions. One person commented, “I felt involved. I had a few questions, the dentist showed me x-rays to explain why the treatment was needed.” This showed people were involved in identifying their treatment options and alternatives.

Staff members spoke to us about the safeguarding procedures. One staff member told us, “We have flows charts displayed to show us what to do. However, I have to report all safeguarding matters to the dentist or practice manager." This showed staff members understood safeguarding processes that were relevant to them.

The practice focused on staff members’ professional development, learning and how they could be supported. One staff member told us, “Every year I get CPD training. Every month we have team meetings where we discuss what needs to be improved and if we have any concerns.” This showed staff received appropriate professional development and supervision.

We saw the practice made changes after it had received feedback from people who used the service. This showed the practice sought the views of people who used the service and those acting on their behalf and acted on them.

Further to the outcome of a previous inspection, carried out in June 2016, we carried out an announced focused inspection relating to the well led provision of services on 19 December 2016 to ask the practice the following key question;

• Are services well-led in relation to governance; specifically staff recruitment and staff training?

Our findings were:

Are services well-led?

We found that this practice was t providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulation.

Background

CQC inspected the practice on 16 June 2016 and asked the provider to make improvements regarding:

• Regulation 19 HSCA (RA) Regulations 2014 Fit and Proper Persons employed
• Regulation 17 HSCA (RA) regulations 2014 Good Governance

We checked these areas as part of this focused inspection and found they had been resolved.

The inspection was carried out by a CQC inspector.

Acorn Dental operates from a converted domestic dwelling and provides NHS and private dentistry for both adults and children. The practice is situated in Slough, Berkshire.

The practice has three dental treatment rooms, one of which is based on the ground floor. The practice has a separate decontamination room used for cleaning, sterilising and packing dental instruments.

The practice employs two dentists, a hygienist, two dental nurses, of which one is the practice manager, two trainee dental nurses and one receptionist.Appointments are available Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm. Emergency dental treatment is available between 8am and 10pm seven days a week (by appointment after 5pm).

There are arrangements in place to ensure patients receive urgent dental assistance when the practice is closed. This is provided by an out-of-hours service. If patients call the practice when it is closed, an answerphone message gives the telephone number patients should ring depending on their symptoms.

The practice owner 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.

Our key findings were:

• Staff recruitment files contained essential information in relation to Regulation 19, Schedule 3 of Health & Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.
• Staff had received training appropriate to their roles.