We carried out this announced inspection on 01 November 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 NHS England and Healthwatch 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.

Background

Worth Park Dental Clinic is located in Crawley, close to Three Bridges. It provides NHS and private treatment to patients of all ages.

The practice occupies ground floor premises. There is one treatment room which is wheelchair accessible. There is separate reception and patient waiting area.

The dental team includes the principal dentist, one qualified dental nurse and one receptionist who is also a qualified dental nurse.

The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist. 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.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, one dental nurse and the receptionist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

On the day of inspection all 45 CQC comment cards sent ahead of the inspection had been filled in by patients. This information gave us an entirely positive view of the practice.

The practice is open: Monday to Wednesday from 8.20am to 5.00pm, Thursday’s from 8am to 6.30pm and Friday’s from 9am to 1pm.

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared 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 supported.
• The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.

Patients’ needs were assessed and care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with their individual treatment plan. We looked at six patient records. Treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure patient’s safety. There were arrangements in place to deal with foreseeable emergencies. All consultations took place in private to ensure that confidentiality was respected. Patients were protected from the risk of abuse because staff were trained to identify and report concerns. Staff demonstrated a clear understanding of their responsibilities with regard to safeguarding.

All patients we spoke with were happy with the service provided. One patient described their check up as a “Very thorough experience”.

Staff had opportunities for professional development. We were told that staff had undertaken the level of continuing professional development required to meet the requirements of the General Dental Council (GDC). They were aware of their responsibilities in preventing the spread of infection and there were clear procedures in place for staff to follow.