Updated 24 December 2021
We carried out this announced inspection on 23 November 2021 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 five questions, however due to the ongoing pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:
• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• 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 well-led?
We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
Brightsmile Dental Care is in Isleworth in the London borough of Hounslow and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs.
The practice is located close to public transport services and metered car parking spaces are available near the practice. The practice has three treatment rooms and two separate decontamination rooms.
The dental team includes five associate dentists, four registered dental nurses, two receptionists, one dental hygienist and a practice manager.
The practice is owned by a partnership and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the CQC as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at Brightsmile Dental Care is one of the partners.
During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, one dental nurse, the registered manager 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 to Friday 9.15 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- There were systems in place to reduce the risks associated with the transmission of Covid-19.
- The provider dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
- 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 provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- 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 information governance arrangements.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
Implement audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry.
Improve the security of NHS prescription pads in the practice and ensure there are systems in place to track and monitor NHS prescriptions and their use.
Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records.