We carried out a comprehensive inspection of Smile Dental Care Salford on 13 January 2015.

The practice offers NHS treatment services for its patient population. Smile Dental Care Salford has four dentists, a practice manager, four dental nurses and a receptionist. One of the dental nursing staff is a trainee.

The practice manager is legally responsible for making sure the practice meets CQC requirements as the registered manager.

We spoke with five patients who used the service on the day of our inspection and reviewed six completed CQC comment cards that had been completed by patients prior to the inspection. The patients we spoke with were complimentary about the service. Patients told us that they found the staff to be extremely person-centred and felt they were treated with respect. The comments on the cards provided by CQC were also complimentary about the staff and the service provided.

During the inspection we toured the premises and spoke with staff including one dentist. We also spoke with the Smile Dental Care Business Director and Business Manager who were visiting from the provider headquarters. To assess the quality of care provided by the practice, we looked at practice policies and protocols and other records.Our key findings were as follows:

• Staff reported incidents and learning took place. There were sufficient staff on duty to deliver the service. There was enough equipment available for staff to undertake their duties and we saw the premises were in a good state of repair and clean and tidy.

• Patient’s needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered in line with current best practice guidance. This included the promotion of good oral health. We saw evidence that staff had received training appropriate to their roles and further training needs were identified and planned through the appraisal process.

• We observed patients being treated with kindness and respect by staff. It was reported that communication with patients and their families, and access to the service and to the dentists was good. Patients reported good access to the practice with emergency appointments available the same day.

• The practice took into account any comments, concerns or complaints to improve the practice.

• The practice had an accessible and visible management team, at the practice and from Head Office. Staff felt supported and all reported that patients were at the heart of the practice. This included the promotion of good oral health. Staff had received training appropriate to their roles. And had an effective appraisal system in place for all staff.