We found that people were involved in treatment planning and making decisions about their dental care. People were given enough information to ensure they could make an informed choice about which course of treatment they wished to follow. Dentists and other practice staff were described as ‘’very friendly’’. People told us that they were ‘’very, very happy to attend the practice’’.

People told us that they always felt safe with the dentists and nurses and said that they ‘’felt confident and safe in the surgery ’’.

The practice followed infection control procedures to ensure that the environment and all dental equipment and tools were hygienic and clean.

The Practice had developed ways of checking that they maintained and improved the quality of care they were providing to their patients. People told us that they received a ‘’marvellous standard of care’’.

We carried out this announced inspection on 23rd May 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.

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

Cedar Dental Care is in Thatcham, Berkshire and provides NHS and private treatment to patients of all ages.

There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including a space for patients with disabled badges, are available either at the practice or very close by.

The dental team includes five dentists, four dental nurses, five dental hygienists, two trainee dental nurses, six reception staff and one practice co-ordinator. The practice has six treatment rooms.

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 Cedar Dental Care was the principal dentist.

On the day of inspection we collected 42 CQC comment cards filled in by patients, 29 other comment cards completed by patients for our information and spoke with 4 patients. This information gave us a very positive view of the practice.

During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, two dental nurses, one dental hygienist, two trainee dental nurses, two receptionists and the practice co-ordinator. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open from 7:30am to 8pm on Monday to Friday and between 8am and 1pm on Saturday.

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.