We carried out this announced inspection on 5 December 17 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 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

Dental Rooms is in Wimbledon and provides private treatment to patients of all ages.

The premises are purpose built and set out all on one level. Facilities include three surgeries, a decontamination room, patient toilet and reception/ waiting area. There is no level access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. The practice however had details of local dental practices with level access where they could refer patients to. Car parking in the local area is pay and display. The practice is close to local rail stations and bus services and there are pay and display car parking facilities in the local area.

The dental team includes eight dentists (all part-time), eight dental nurses, two hygienists, two receptionists and a practice manager. The dental team includes the following specialists; oral surgery, periodontist, prosthodontist, paedodontics, orthodontist and endodontist.

The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.

On the day of inspection we collected 58 CQC comment cards filled in by patients. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.

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

The practice is open: Monday to Wednesday from 9.00-8.00pm; Thursday from 9.00-5.30pm; Friday from 8.30-5.00pm and Saturday from 9.00-2.00pm.

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.

We spoke with service users who told us that they were happy with the service provided. They told us they never had to wait long for appointments.

One person said "the dentist is lovely" and "very polite." Another person said "They always want to explain what is happening." Patients said their treatment plans were always explained and discussed with them, including choices about treatment and costs. Patients said that the practice was always clean, and all the staff were friendly, welcoming and respectful.

Overall we found that the provider was operating robust systems to ensure people received appropriate care and treatment in an environment which was clean. We found that services were provided by staff that were appropriately supported in relation to their responsibilities.