We carried out this announced inspection on 23 November 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. The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.

We told NHS England and Healthwatch that we were inspecting the practice. They did not provide any information.

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

Bradlaw House Dental Care Ltd is located in Bognor Regis. It provides predominantly NHS and some private treatment to patients of all ages.

The practice occupies premises on one level. There are two treatment rooms and a separate decontamination room. There is separate reception and patient waiting area.

The dental team includes four dentists working as locums, one qualified dental nurse, one trainee dental nurse, one receptionist and a practice manager.

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 Bradlaw House Dental Care Ltd was the practice manager.

During the inspection we spoke with one dentist, two dental nurses, the receptionist, the practice manager and the compliance manager for the company. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

On the day of inspection we collected the views on the service at the practice from 15 patients. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.

The practice is open: Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm.

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
• The practice 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 had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• The practice had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
• 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 appointment system met patients’ needs.
• The practice had effective leadership. Staff felt supported.
• The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.

We spoke with six people during this inspection; three people on the day we visited the practice and a further three people on the telephone. All were very positive about the service that they received from Bradlaw House Dental Surgery. People told us that they received a friendly service, were kept well informed and were offered choices about their treatment.

One person said, "It was my first visit and I was made to feel welcome. Reception was very helpful and gave me some information to read and documents to sign. I had a good experience."

Another person said, "The way the dentist and nurse have supported me with my treatment has been fantastic. I am much less concerned and apprehensive now."