We carried out this announced inspection on 29 August 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 practice. They provided information which we took into account.

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.

We last inspected this service on the 20 November 2012 and found the provider was not meeting the essential standards of quality and safety for Safeguarding People, Cleanliness and infection control, Management of medicines, Safety and suitability of premises, Safety, availability and suitability of equipment, Statement of purpose, Complaints and Records.

The provider sent us their action plan which addressed how and by when they would become compliant with the required standards.

This inspection on the 9 April 2013 was for the purpose of following up on whether the provider had achieved compliance with these essential standards.

There were safeguarding procedures in place and staff received training and demonstrated an understanding of the procedures.

Infection control measures were in place and the surgery was clean and hygienic. People spoken with told us they thought the service was clean and tidy. One person said "It's not some thing I have ever been worried about. The place always looks clean and tidy".

The statement of purpose informed us about the kinds of services provided at the surgery.

There was a complaints system and people told us they had access to the complaints procedure. One person said "I have been coming to the dentist for years and I have never had to make a complaint".

Records were accurate, up to date, fit for purpose held securely and kept confidential.

We conducted the inspection with a variety of staff which included reception staff, a dentist and dental nurses as the registered provider was on planned leave.

We received written feedback from ten people using the service during our inspection. People said that they were very satisfied with the services provided. They said they felt that they were well informed about their treatment, and were made aware of their progress.

We were told that all of the dentists and staff were professional, reliable and people felt safe and well cared for. People told us that booking appointments was always flexible and their appointments were on time.

Not all people thought the practice was clean and well maintained and we found that there were shortfalls in this area during our inspection.

We found that there were shortfalls regarding safeguarding procedures for adults and children, the standards of cleanliness, general maintenance and hygiene in the service, the lack of good management of medicines, lack of equipment and stock control, poor management of records including dealing with complaints.