We carried out this announced inspection on 12 September 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 the NHS England area team and Healthwatch that we were inspecting the practice. NHS England provided us with contractual information they hold with the practice.

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

Cathedral Dental Practice is in Truro and provides NHS and private treatment to patients of all ages.

There is ramp access to the front of the building and one ground floor treatment room for patients who have mobility difficulties, which can accommodate wheelchair users, although the building is not fully accessible. Public parking is available near the practice and at the practice for wheelchair users by prior arrangement.

The dental team includes four dentists, six dental nurses, one dental hygienist, a clinical administrator, office administrator, trainee dental nurse, sterilisation technician and two receptionists. The practice has four treatment rooms.

The practice is owned by a partnership 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 Cathedral Dental Practice was one of the partners and also one of the dentists.

On the day of inspection we collected feedback from 39 patients. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.

During the inspection we spoke with three dentists, three dental nurses, the clinical administrator, the office administrator, one receptionist and the trainee dental nurse. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Mon/Wed/Thu 8.30am – 4.45pm. Tue 8.30am – 6.30pm. Fri 8.30am – 4.30pm. The practice closes for lunch between 12.30pm – 1.30pm.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was 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 involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.

There was one area where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Review the fire risk assessment for the practice giving due regard to hazards present.