We carried out this announced inspection on 12 July 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 an assistant inspector and a remote specialist dental adviser.

We told the NHS England area that we were inspecting the practice. They did not provide any information.

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.

During this inspection we spoke with dentists, the registered manager, the practice manager, dental nurses and patients.

Patients told us that they were very satisfied with the treatment they had received. They were given clear instructions and guidance for the aftercare following their treatment. This meant that they understood and were involved in their dental care.

We spoke with staff and they explained to us procedures that demonstrated there were effective systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection.

We saw documentation and policies showed that risks to safety were identified and managed and the premises were adequately maintained. We saw that there was a robust health and safety policy and clear published lines of responsibilities.

The practice had records which showed that specialist equipment had been regularly maintained and certificated. There were robust policies and procedures in place, examples seen were the health and safety policy and the Infection control policy.