Polesworth Dental Centre

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 although this was brief and did not cover all aspects to continually improve access for patients. An item that would enhance the experience for visually impaired patients was purchased following this inspection.

Staff described the reasonable adjustments they had made to ensure the practice was accessible. The practice had access to large print or alternative formats of information. The practice was wheelchair accessible with a portable ramp used for access as needed, a ground floor treatment room and an accessible toilet. Staff had access to language translation services, including British Sign Language and information was available in other languages as required.

Staff were clear about the importance of providing emotional support to patients when delivering care. For example, staff would give patients step by step details of their treatment if this was their preference and gave reassurance. Staff told us that they chatted with nervous patients to try and relax them and offered them a drink of water. Staff said that they always spoke in a calm, reassuring voice and would hold the patient’s hand during treatment if this was their wish.

The practice supported more vulnerable members of society, for example, patients living with dementia or adults and children with a learning disability. Staff had completed training regarding learning disabilities and autism awareness.

The practice displayed its opening hours and provided information on their patient information leaflet.

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. Staff took part in an emergency on-call arrangement with another local practice and patients were directed to the appropriate out-of-hours service.

At the time of our inspection, patients who needed an urgent appointment were offered one in a timely manner. 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.