Updated 16 March 2023
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 14 February 2023 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 practice 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 advisor.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following 5 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:
- The dental clinic appeared clean and well-maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises. We found minor shortfalls in assessing the risks associated with hazardous substances and staff immunity for infectious diseases.
- Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
- Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
- The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
- There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved, supported and worked as a team.
- Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
- Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
- The practice had information governance arrangements.
Background
Smile@Westpark Dental Studio is in Darlington and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.
The dental team includes a principal dentist, 2 dental nurses and a dental hygienist. Governance and management of the dental practice is overseen by the principal dentist and one of the dental nurses. Reception duties are carried out by both dental nurses. The practice has 1 treatment room.
During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist and both dental nurses. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday 10am to 8pm
Tuesday and Thursday 9.30am to 6pm
Wednesday 8.30am to 6pm
Friday 8.30am to 2pm
Saturday, once a month 9.30am to 2pm.
The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, providing paper cups instead of plastic cups for patients.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Improve the practice's processes for the management of hazardous substances to ensure risk assessments are undertaken for all relevant substances as required by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.
- Take action to ensure that all clinical staff have adequate immunity for vaccine preventable infectious diseases.