We spoke with two patients who had received treatment at the practice on the day of our inspection.

We were told they were satisfied with the dental treatment they had received.

They said the dentist they saw was considerate and treated them with respect. One patient said "Clear explanations are always given including the charges and options for treatment."

All the patients we spoke with said it was easy to get an appointment. One person told us "The practice gives you confidence in the dental procedures. It has a relaxed atmosphere." Another patient said "I am always offered protective clothing when I am having treatment and staff wear it too."

Patients told us the dentists clearly communicated to them what their treatment options were including any potential side effects. Details about charges were provided before any decisions on treatment were made. This meant that patients were able to make informed decisions about which treatment option was best for them.

The practice had undertaken an audit of infection control in August 2013 where a score of 99% was achieved. This demonstrated that the practice had taken steps to ensure it was meeting the standards for infection control.

The practice had issued patient questionnaires. The analysis of the results of the questionnaires was reviewed as part of our inspection process. The overall feedback was positive regarding patient information, treatment and payment options and cleanliness of the practice.

We carried out this announced inspection on 31 October 2018 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 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

LG Woodgate Limited dental practice is in the centre of Newton and provides NHS and private dental care for adults and children.

There is level access to facilitate entrance to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and for pushchairs. Car parking is available near the practice.

The dental team includes a principal dentist, four associate dentists and eight dental nurses, two of whom are trainees. The practice has five 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 LG Woodgate Limited was the principal dentist.

We received feedback from 12 people during the inspection about the services provided. The feedback provided was positive.

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

The practice is open:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 8.30am to 5.30pm

Thursday 8.30am to 6.00pm

Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm

Our key findings were:

• The practice was clean and well maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures in place which reflected published guidance.
• The provider had safeguarding procedures in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and equipment were available.
• The provider had staff recruitment procedures in place.
• Staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• The dental team provided preventive care and supported patients to achieve better oral health.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• The provider had a procedure in place for dealing with complaints. The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently. Contact details for NHS England were not available for patients should they wish to complain to them directly.
• The practice had a leadership and management structure.
• The provider had systems in place to manage risk. Systems relating to vaccination status in staff and the use of sharps were not operating effectively.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice asked patients and staff for feedback about the services they provided.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Review the practice’s systems for assessing, monitoring and mitigating the various risks arising from the undertaking of the regulated activities. In particular, in relation to the use of sharps, and the effectiveness of the Hepatitis B vaccination in staff.