We carried out this announced inspection on 2 November 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.

We told the NHS England area team that we were inspecting the provider. They had no information of concern.

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 provider was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found that this provider was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found that this provider was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that this provider was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found that this provider was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

Mobile Dental services is located in the London borough of Harrow and provides NHS and private treatment to elderly people residing in care homes and within their own homes covering a wide geographical area

Staff consists of a dentist and a manager/nurse .

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

The provider is open Monday to Friday 10am to 5 pm

On the day of inspection we collected feedback from 16 patients. This information gave us a positive view of the provider.

During the inspection we spoke with the manager and dentist. We looked at provider policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

Our key findings were:

• The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The provider had systems to help them manage risk.
• The provider had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• 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 provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.