• Dentist
  • Dentist

The Orthodontic Practice

84 Rodney Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 9AR (0151) 709 1980

Provided and run by:
Mr. Timothy Martin

All Inspections

10 March 2020

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced inspection on 10 March 2020 under section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We planned the inspection to check whether the registered provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a Care Quality Commission, (CQC), inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it caring?

• Is it responsive to people’s needs?

• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

The Orthodontic Practice is in Liverpool city centre and provides NHS and private orthodontic dental care and treatment for adults and children. NHS patients are referred to the practice by their own general dental practice.

There is level access to the practice for people with limited mobility and for those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces in the street, including dedicated parking for people with disabilities, are available close to the practice, on a pay and display basis, where waiting time is limited.

The dental team includes the principal orthodontist, two associate orthodontists, five dental nurses, two dental technicians, a receptionist and a practice secretary. The practice has three operational treatment rooms one of which is at ground floor level. There is a dedicated decontamination facility, an onsite laboratory for producing prosthetics and aligners, an X-ray suite and developing room. There is onsite storage space for study models, records and offices for administrative staff.

The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal orthodontist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.

On the day of inspection, we collected 46 CQC comment cards filled in by patients. All feedback received was highly positive.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal orthodontist and one associate orthodontist, two dental nurses, a dental technician, a receptionist and the practice secretary. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

Our key findings were:

  • The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
  • The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
  • Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
  • The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
  • The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
  • The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
  • The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
  • Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
  • Staff supported patients to ensure better oral health.
  • The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
  • The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
  • The provider asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
  • The provider had systems in place to deal with complaints positively and efficiently.
  • The provider had information governance arrangements.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

  • Consider the current Legionella risk assessment, taking into account the guidelines issued by the Department of Health in the Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices, and having regard to The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.’ In particular, whether this meets the needs of the practice and considers all risks.
  • Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice when completing dental care records. This should include the justification for any X-ray imaging and recording of any periodontal concerns.
  • Implement practice protocols and procedures to ensure staff are up to date with their training and their continuing professional development.
  • Take action to ensure audits of radiography and patient dental records that are undertaken are reviewed effectively to improve the quality of the service. Practice should ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.

27 February 2014

During a routine inspection

We reviewed information about the practice, looked at treatment records of people who used the service, examined staff records and quality assurance documentation. We talked with staff and received feedback from people by looking at comment cards and records from patient satisfaction surveys.

We saw that before people who used the service received any treatment they were asked for their consent and the provider acted in accordance with their wishes.

We examined evidence which demonstrated that people experienced care, treatment and support that met their needs and protected their rights.

We saw that people were protected from the risk of infection because appropriate guidance had been followed.

We also saw that people who used the service were treated and supported by, suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff.

The provider had an effective system to regularly assess and monitor the quality of the service that people received.