We carried out this announced inspection on 24 September 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 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

Mydentist Broad Lane - Bramley is on the outskirts of Leeds and provides NHS treatment to adults and children.

There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Limited car parking is on site and public transport facilities are available near the practice.

The dental team includes four dentists, six dental nurses (one of whom is an advanced nurse and one a trainee), a practice manager and a receptionist. The practice has three 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 the practice is the practice manager.

During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, two dental nurses, the receptionist, and the regulatory management team. We looked at the practice’s policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday to Thursday 9am until 5.30pm, Friday 9am until 4.30pm, Saturday morning 9am until 1pm when required (at least one Saturday a month).

On the day of inspection, we collected 28 CQC comment cards filled in by patients.

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
• 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 practice had systems to help them manage risk.
• The provider had staff recruitment procedures in place.
• The practice staff 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.
• The practice was providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs.
• The practice had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• 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 staff dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
• Clinical and non-clinical audits were completed.
• The practice staff had suitable information governance arrangements.

We spoke with four people who used the service and they told us they had experienced appropriate treatment and care when they visited the practice. Everyone said they were very happy with the care and treatment they had received. One person said, “I’ve had a lot of work done over the years and have been extremely happy.” Another person said, “Me and my wife are very satisfied customers and would certainly recommend the practice to others.” Another person said, “My dentist has a lovely soft voice and does everything he can to reassure me. They do a good job of looking after me when I’m here.” People told us their dentist talked to them about oral hygiene and gave appropriate advice.

People who used the service were involved in the planning of their treatment and were given information to help inform their decisions. Systems were in place to make sure people’s privacy, dignity, and confidentially were maintained.

People were cared for, or supported by, suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff.

People who used the service were protected from the risk of abuse. Staff were aware of what action they should take if they suspected any abuse or a patient made an allegation of abuse.

The provider had systems in place to check that they were providing an effective service. They identified, monitored and managed risks to people who used or worked in the service.