We carried out this announced inspection on 28 June 2017 to check whether the registered provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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

Boulevard Dental Care opened in January 2017 and is located in Crawley, West Sussex and provides private treatment to patients of all ages.

The practice is located on the top level of a two storey building. The premises are is not suitable for people using a wheelchair as there are steep stairs and no lift. Car parking bays are available near the practice where people can pay to park.

The dental team is comprised of a dentist, a dental nurse, a dental hygienist/dental nurse and a practice manager who was also the provider.

On the day of inspection we received seven CQC comment cards providing positive feedback.

During the inspection we spoke with the dentist, the dental nurse and the practice manager, to assess the quality of care provided we looked at practice policies and protocols and other records relating to the management of the service.

The practice is open: Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm.

The practice manager who is also the provider is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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:

• The practice was clean and well maintained.
• Infection control procedures were robust and the practice followed published guidance.
• Staff had been trained to handle emergencies and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available in accordance with current guidelines.
• The practice had systems in place manage risks.
• Staff understood and received safeguarding training and knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report it.
• Safe recruitment of staff was in place.
• Treatment was well planned and provided in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs.
• The practice was well-led and staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.
• Complaints were responded to in an efficient and responsive manner.