mydentist Winsford Cross Shopping Centre, Winsford

Updated 22 December 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the registered provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

The inspection took place on 18 November 2016. It was led by a CQC inspector and supported by a dental specialist advisor.

During the inspection, we spoke with the registered manager, the regulatory officer, a dentist and a dental nurse. We reviewed policies, protocols, certificates and other documents as part of the inspection.

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 therefore formed the framework for the areas we looked at during the inspection.

Updated 22 December 2016

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 18 November 2016 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

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

Located close to Winsford town centre, facilities at the practice are located on the ground floor and include two surgeries, a reception and waiting area and a patient toilet. The practice offers a full range of NHS dental services and also provides a selection of cosmetic treatments, including tooth whitening and dentures. The premises have been adapted to support access for people with a disability. Free parking is available close by.

The practice is open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:30 and closes for lunch each day from 13:00 to 14:00. The dental team comprises one full time dentist supported by two locum dentists, three dental nurses, a dental hygienist, a registered manager and a receptionist.

The practice manager is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

We reviewed 25 CQC comment cards on the day of our visit; patients were extremely positive about the staff and standard of care provided by the practice. Patients commented that they felt involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be helpful, respectful, friendly and were treated in a clean and tidy environment.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was well organised, visibly clean and free from clutter.
• An infection prevention and control policy was in place. We saw the sterilisation procedures followed recommended guidance.
• The practice had systems for recording incidents and accidents.
• Practice meetings were used for shared learning.
• The practice had a safeguarding policy and staff were aware on how to escalate safeguarding issues for children and adults should the need arise.
• Staff received annual medical emergency training. Equipment for dealing with medical emergencies reflected guidance from the resuscitation council.
• Dental professionals provided treatment in accordance with current professional guidelines.
• Patient feedback was regularly sought and reflected upon.
• Patients could access urgent care when required.
• Dental professionals were maintaining their continued professional development (CPD) in accordance with their professional registration.
• Complaints were dealt with in an efficient and sensitive manner.
• The practice was actively involved in promoting oral health.