Updated 20 June 2019
We carried out this announced inspection on 14 May 2019 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 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 that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services effective?
We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services caring?
We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services responsive?
We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services well-led?
We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
Pure Orthodontics is in Chelmsford, Essex and provides private treatment to adults and children. Orthodontics is a specialist dental service concerned with the alignment of the teeth and jaws to improve the appearance of the face, the teeth and their function.
There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including spaces for blue badge holders, are outside the practice.
The dental team includes one specialist orthodontist, one treatment manager, one practice manager, five orthodontic therapists including a laboratory technician, five dental nurses and one trainee dental nurse, one orthodontic nurse, two hygienists, one compliance lead, one treatment coordinator, one marketing manager, three receptionists and a cleaner. The practice has seven treatment rooms, three treatment coordinating rooms, three decontamination rooms, plus a laboratory, two reception areas and two oral hygiene stations
The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist 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 42 CQC comment cards filled in by patients and spoke with one other patient.
During the inspection we spoke with the specialist orthodontist, the treatment manager, one orthodontic therapist, one treatment coordinator/receptionist and the compliance lead/dental nurse. In addition, we spoke with two receptionists and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday from 8am to 5pm.
Tuesday from 11am to 7pm.
Wednesday from 8.15am to 5pm.
Thursday from 11am to 7pm.
Friday from 8am to 5pm.
Saturday from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
Our key findings were:
- Strong and effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement was provided by the management team which included the specialist orthodontist, the treatment manager and the practice manager. The practice manager took immediate action on the day of our inspection to address some of the minor issues identified during our inspection, demonstrating their commitment to providing a good service. Staff felt involved and supported and informed us this was a good place to work.
- The practice staff had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risk.
- The provider had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children. The safeguarding policy, and contact details were available in each treatment room.
- The practice had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
- The practice appeared clean and well maintained
- 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 were providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
- The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The practice staff dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
- The practice staff had suitable information governance arrangements.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Review the practice's protocols for completion of dental care records taking into account the guidance provided by the Faculty of General Dental Practice.