Aughton Dental Practice

On this page

• Overview
• Person-centred Care
• Care provision, Integration and continuity
• Providing Information
• Listening to and involving people
• Equity in access
• Equity in experiences and outcomes
• Planning for the future

We found this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations and had taken into consideration appropriate guidance.

Find out what we look at when we assess this area in our information about our new Single assessment framework.

The judgement for Person-centred Care is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.

The judgement for Care provision, Integration and continuity is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.

The judgement for Providing Information is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.

The judgement for Listening to and involving people is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.

Staff had carried out a disability access audit and had an action plan to continually improve access for patients.

Staff described the reasonable adjustments that had been implemented to ensure the practice was accessible to patients with a range of needs. These included step-free access, 4 ground-floor treatment rooms, a hearing loop, a digital tablet device to support communication, a wheelchair-accessible toilet, vision aids, and access to translation and interpreter services. The practice also reserved a disabled parking space when required and had considered additional accessibility measures.

Staff were clear about the importance of providing emotional support to patients when delivering care. For example, staff described how they identified nervous or anxious patients and adapted their approach to meet their needs. They used a calm and reassuring approach, allowed patients time to ask questions and express concerns, and checked their comfort throughout treatment.

The practice supported more vulnerable members of society, for example, patients living with dementia or adults and children with a learning disability.

The practice displayed its opening hours and provided information on their website, patient information leaflet and social media channels.

The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

The practice provided telephone numbers for patients needing emergency dental treatment during the working day and when the practice was not open.

At the time ofourinspection, patients who needed an urgent appointment were offered onein a timely manner. In addition, the practice was part of a localscheme to provide urgent dental care to patients who did not have a dentist.When the practice was unable to offer an urgent appointment, they worked with partner organisations to support urgent access for patients.

The judgement for Equity in experiences and outcomes is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.

The judgement for Planning for the future is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.