The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Improve Your Smile Limited

162 High Road, Woodford Green, Essex, IG8 9EF (020) 8504 2704

Provided and run by:
Improve Your Smile Ltd

All Inspections

During an assessment under our new approach

We carried out this announced on-site inspection on 17 September 2026.

We found the practice had met regulations.

The practice had some systems in place to identify and manage risks, however, this needed strengthening to ensure all risks were appropriately mitigated.

Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles.

Feedback we received showed that staff treated patients with dignity and respect and ensured access to care, support, and treatment when required.

Staff told us that the leadership team was approachable.

Recruitment procedures reflected current legislation; however, this was not consistently followed during recruitment.

Improvement was required to ensure there was oversight of the governance.

Improve Your Smile Limited and Woodford House Dental Practice, although registered under separate legal entities, operate from the same premises and share staff, systems, and governance arrangements. The practice is in Woodford Green in the London Borough of Redbridge 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, at and near the practice.

The practice had 5 treatment rooms. At the time of our inspection, there was a total of 15 staff, of which there were 4 dentists, 3 qualified dental nurses, 2 trainee dental nurses, 2 dental hygienists, 3 receptionists and the practice manager. The practice also utilised visiting clinicians, including 2 dentists with a special interest in endodontics, 1 doctor providing sedation services, and 1 oral surgeon. We gathered feedback from staff and spoke to a range of staff during our inspection, including 2 dentists, 2 qualified dental nurses, 1 trainee dental nurse, 2 receptionists and the practice manager.

The service provides cosmetic treatments, some of which are not in scope of CQC regulation and are not covered in our inspection.

9 August 2016

During a routine inspection

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 8 August 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

Woodford House Dental Practice located in Woodford Green provides NHS and private dental treatment to patients of all ages.

Practice staffing consists of the principal dentist, two associate dentists, three hygienist, three dental nurses, two receptionists, clerical assistant and the practice manager.

The principal dentist is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual registered person. 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.

The practice is open Monday 9am to 7pm, Tuesday 9am to 6pm, Wednesday 9.30am to 7.30pm, Thursday 9am to 6pm, Friday 8.30am to 4pm and every other Saturday 9am to

The practice facilities include five treatment rooms, reception area/ waiting areas, decontamination room, one office/consultation room and a staff room/kitchen.

We reviewed 85 CQC comment cards, the practice patient satisfaction survey and the NHS Friends and Family test comment cards. Patients were positive about the service. They were complimentary about the friendly and caring attitude of the staff.

Our key findings were:

  • Patients were involved in their care and treatment planning so they could make informed decisions.
  • There were effective processes in place to reduce and minimise the risk and spread of infection.
  • Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned in line with current guidance such as from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
  • We found the dentists regularly assessed each patient’s gum health and took X-rays at appropriate intervals.
  • Equipment, such as the autoclaves, fire extinguishers, and X-ray equipment had all been checked for effectiveness and had been regularly serviced.
  • The practice had whistleblowing policies and procedure and staff were aware of these and their responsibilities to report any concerns.
  • Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
  • The practice had a procedure for handling and responding to complaints, which were displayed and available to patients.
  • Governance systems were effective and there were a range of policies and procedures in place which underpinned the management of the practice.
  • Patients had good access to appointments, including emergency appointments, which were available on the same day.
  • The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided and acted on this to improve its services.
  • The practice had ensured that appropriate medicines, in line with British National Formulary and Resuscitation Council (UK) guidance, were available to respond to a medical emergency.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

  • Review its audit protocols to ensure audits of various aspects of the service, such as dental care records are undertaken at regular intervals to help improve the quality of service. Practice should also ensure that where appropriate audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.