Maryport Smile Centre

We undertook a follow-up on-site inspection on 23 March 2026. This was carried out to review the actions taken by the registered provider to improve the quality of care and to assess whether the practice was meeting legal requirements.

We had previously undertaken an announced on-site inspection of Maryport Smile Centre on 28 August 2025. We had found the registered provider was not providing well-led care and was in breach of regulation 17 Good governance of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

During our follow-up inspection, we found the practice had made improvements and now met regulations.

The practice had effective systems to identify and manage risks, including infection prevention and control. Gaps in risk management we had identified in our previous inspection had been addressed.

Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. Systems and processes now in place gave sufficient oversight of this, enabling staff to plan time away from front line duties for training and continuous professional development.

Improvements had been made in the creation and management of dental care records, in line with recognised guidance.

Patient consent procedures and documentation was completed in line with legislation and guidance.

We observed that audits were completed in all required areas and these were now collated, shared and discussed to promote continuous improvement.

Maryport Smile Centre, also known as Aluna Dental Care, is in Maryport, Cumbria and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There was step-free access to the practice and car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, were available near the practice.

The practice had 3 treatment rooms. At the time of our inspection, there was a total of 12 staff, of which there were 2 dentists, 6 dental nurses, 2 dental therapists, 1 receptionist and the practice manager. The practice had two Registered Managers, one who dealt with day to day running of the practice, and one who focused on management and work on the clinical side of the practice. We gathered feedback from staff and spoke to a range of staff during our inspection.

We carried out this announced on-site inspection on 28 August 2025.

We found the practice had not met all regulations.

The practice had systems to identify and manage risks. These were not consistently followed.

The majority of staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. There were some gaps in oversight, management and governance processes.

Recruitment procedures reflected current legislation. Our checks on a random sample of recruitment records shows all appropriate checks had been completed on staff working at the practice.

Staff provided care and treatment in line with current guidance. They treated patients with dignity and respect and ensured access to care, support, and treatment when required.

Not all dental care records were completed fully, in line with recognised guidance.

Staff did not consistently follow recognised guidance on obtaining patients’ consent to care and treatment in line with legislation and guidance.

We observed that audits were completed but these were not used to drive forward improvements in governance processes and management across the practice.

Maryport Smile Centre, also known as Aluna Dental Care, is in Maryport, Cumbria and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There was step-free access to the practice and car parking spaces available, including dedicated parking for disabled people, near the practice.

The practice had 3 treatment rooms. At the time of our inspection, there was a total of 12 staff, of which there were 2 dentists, 6 dental nurses, all of whom were trainees, 2 dental therapists, 1 receptionist and the practice manager. On the day of inspection the practice manager, who is also the Registered Manager was not present. The practice was supported by a compliance officer. We gathered feedback from staff and spoke to a range of staff during our inspection, including 1 dentist, 3 dental nurses, 2 dental therapists, and the compliance officer.

The provider was not complying with Regulation 17 Good Governance.

Full details of the regulation the provider was not meeting are within the inspection report.

We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this inspection.