We carried out this announced inspection on 3 October 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 and Healthwatch that we were inspecting the practice. They did not provide information of any 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 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

Brinsworth Lane dental practice is in Rotherham and is part of the Mydentist group. The practice provides NHS and private treatment to adults and children.

There is single step access with handrails and a portable ramp into the practice. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.

The dental team includes five dentists, nine dental nurses (two of which are trainee dental nurses and one is a locum). The practice has a manager, two receptionists and a cleaner. The practice has four treatment rooms and dedicated decontamination room.

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 Brinsworth Lane dental practice was the practice manager.

On the day of inspection we collected 31 CQC comment cards filled in by patients, this information gave us a positive view of the practice.

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

The practice is open:

Monday, Thursday and Friday 9am – 7:45pm

Tuesday and Wednesday 8am – 5:15pm

Saturday 9am -3pm (open three out of four Saturdays per month)

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. Staff had been trained and knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• The practice had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
• The practice completed regular audits and used the information to make improvements.
• 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 and received positive feedback.
• The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.