We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 15 March 2017 to ask the practice the following key questions; are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

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

Chester Road Dental Care Limited is located in a residential suburb close to the centre of Poynton. It comprises a reception and waiting room, a treatment room and a decontamination room on the ground floor, and patient toilet facilities on the first floor. Parking is available outside the practice in the practice’s own car park. The provider has also installed a cycle storage facility. The practice is accessible to patients with disabilities and limited mobility but access for wheelchair users is difficult.

There are three low steps at the front entrance to the practice with handrails positioned alongside to assist patients with limited mobility.

The practice provides general dental treatment to patients of all ages on a privately funded basis, and to children on an NHS basis. The opening times are Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm, and Saturday 9.00am to 1.00pm. The practice is staffed by a principal dentist, a practice manager, an associate dentist, three dental nurses, and a decontamination assistant, all of whom also carry out reception duties.

The principal dentist 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.

We received feedback from 38 people during the inspection about the services provided. Patients commented that they found all aspects of the service excellent, and that staff were friendly, caring and welcoming. They said the dentists listened carefully to them and they were always given good explanations about dental treatment. Patients commented that the practice was clean, comfortable and relaxing. Patients also highlighted that they were treated as individuals, they were seen promptly in an emergency and that the practice was very accommodating with appointment times.

Our key findings were:

• The practice had procedures in place to record, analyse and learn from significant events and incidents.
• Staff had received safeguarding training, and knew the processes to follow to raise concerns.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified and skilled staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies, and emergency medicines and equipment were available.
• The premises and equipment were clean, secure and well maintained.
• Staff followed current infection control guidelines for decontaminating and sterilising instruments.
• Patients’ needs were assessed, and care and treatment were delivered, in accordance with current standards and guidance.
• Patients received information about their care, proposed treatment, costs, benefits, and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Staff were supported to deliver effective care, and opportunities for training and learning were available.
• Patients were treated with kindness, dignity, and respect, and their confidentiality was maintained.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients, and emergency appointments were available.
• Services were planned and delivered to meet the needs of patients.
• The practice gathered and took account of the views of patients.
• Staff were supervised, felt involved, and worked together as a team.
• Governance arrangements were in place for the smooth running of the practice, and for the delivery of high quality person centred care.