UK Smiles Dental Practice Limited - Romford

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 told us they had carried out a disability access audit, however, this was unavailable on the day of the 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, reading glasses and a magnifying glass to support patients with impaired vision. Staff had access to language translation services, including British Sign Language and information was available in other languages as required. Patients were told ahead of their appointments that the service was inaccessible to those using wheelchairs or who have difficulty mobilising due to stairs and lack of a lift. Staff employed at the practice spoke several languages.

Staff were clear about the importance of providing emotional support to patients when delivering care. For example, staff offered condolences to patients experiencing grief.

The practice supported more vulnerable members of society, for example, patients living with dementia or adults and children with a learning disability. The provider should promote learning disability awareness training to improve staff understanding and support for individuals.

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

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 their sister practice.

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.