Knowle Smile Spa

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 they had made to ensure the practice was accessible.

The practice had access to large print or alternative formats of information, reading glasses and a magnifying glass to support patients with impaired vision. Also available to support patients with impaired vision was an electronic tablet for completion of medical history or consent forms; information on the electronic tablets could be enlarged if required. The practice was wheelchair accessible with step-free access and ground floor treatment rooms. 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 said that they chatted to patients to make them feel relaxed and always took their time, making sure patients were comfortable. There was a massage chair in the ground and first floor waiting rooms which patients could use to help them relax. The radio was playing in the waiting room to help distract anxious patients. Televisions were available in 3 of the 4 treatment rooms and overhead screens could be used to play calming images or television programmes whilst patients were having treatment. Staff could take patients into a private room to chat to them if they were extremely anxious to try and calm their nerves.

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 autism and learning disabilities. Notes were made on patient records to remind staff if a patient required additional support.

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

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 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.