We carried out this announced inspection 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. A CQC inspector, who was supported by a specialist dental adviser, led 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 Fulbridge Road is a well-established practice that provides mostly NHS treatment to adults and children. The team consists of a practice manager, three dentists, a hygienist, five nurses and reception staff. The practice has four treatment rooms and is open on Mondays to Thursdays from 8.30am to 6pm, and on Fridays from 8.30am to 5pm. The practice is part of the Mydentist group who have a large number of dental practices across the UK.

The practice has four dental treatment rooms, one decontamination room, a waiting area and a large staff room.

There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available at the front of the practice

There is a full time practice manager who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, the practice manager, two dental nurses, and reception staff. Two of the provider’s compliance staff were also in attendance. We looked at practice policies and procedures, and other records about how the service is managed. We collected 27 CQC comment cards filled in by patients and spoke with two other patients during our visit.

Our key findings were:

• Information from completed Care Quality Commission comment cards gave us a positive picture of a caring, professional and high quality service.

• The practice was clean and well maintained.

• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.

• The practice had systems to help ensure patient safety. These included safeguarding children and adults from abuse, maintaining the required standards of infection prevention and control, and responding to medical emergencies.

• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered in line with current best practice guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and other published guidance.

• Members of the dental team were up-to-date with their continuing professional development and supported to meet the requirements of their professional registration.

• The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.

• There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted upon.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

• Review staff awareness of the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and ensure they are all aware of their responsibilities under the Act as it relates to their role.

• Review the practice's protocols for completion of dental care records taking into account guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice regarding clinical examinations and record keeping.