We carried out this announced inspection on 24 July 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

Dentalcare Brackley is in Northamptonshire and provides NHS and private treatment to patients of all ages.

There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and pushchairs and there are two treatment rooms accessible on the ground floor. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.

The dental team includes five dentists, six dental nurses, one dental hygienist and two receptionists. The practice manager left the practice a few days prior to our inspection. The practice has four treatment rooms.

The practice is owned by an organisation 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. At the time of the inspection the practice did not have a registered manager in post; although the head nurse expressed her intention to apply for the role.

On the day of inspection we collected 18 CQC comment cards filled in by patients. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.

During the inspection we spoke with one dentist, 2 dental nurses, one receptionist and the group compliance manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 am to 6.30 pm. On Wednesday from 8 am to 8 pm and on Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm.

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. Risks associated with use of medical sharps had not been assessed.
• The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• The practice had thorough staff recruitment procedures. References were not always recorded.
• 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 were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Review the protocols and procedures to ensure staff are up to date with their mandatory training and their Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

• Review the practice protocols for use of medical sharps with reference to the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.