We carried out this announced inspection on 15 December 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 remotely 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.

Background

Vital Family Dental Care – Chandlers Ford is in Eastleigh and provides NHS and private treatment to patients of all ages.

There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including for patients with disabled badges, are available near the practice.

The dental team includes five dentists, three dental nurses, one trainee dental nurse, three dental hygienists, one practice manager, one receptionist and one cleaner. The practice has four treatment rooms.

The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.

On the day of inspection we collected 51 CQC comment cards filled in by patients and spoke with five other patients. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.

During the inspection we spoke with three dentists, two dental nurses, one dental hygienist, one practice manager and one receptionist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm

Our key findings were:

• The practice was clean and well maintained.
• The practice 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 practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• The practice had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs.
• The practice had effective leadership. 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 dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.

We spoke with six patients who told us they were very happy with the treatment they received. Patients told us that they understood the treatment options and were given estimates of cost. Patients were given the opportunity to feed back about their experiences of the practice. We saw that staff used current national guidance and evidence to support their care and treatment of patients.

There were systems in place at this practice to reduce the risk and spread of infection. During our visit we spoke to clinical staff who were knowledgeable about the safe practices required to meet the essential standards of Department of Health guidance.

The practice was located in a converted private house. All the surgeries were on the ground floor and we saw that the design, layout and security of the premises was fit for purpose and met the needs of everyone receiving care and treatment, including those with disabilities.