Updated 9 March 2022
We carried out this announced focused comprehensive inspection on 8 February 2022 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 usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 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:
- 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 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 had information governance arrangements.
Background
Love Teeth is in the London borough of Sutton and provides 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. Car parking spaces are available at the practice and also on surrounding roads.
The dental team includes a principal dentist, eight associate dentists, four dental nurses, eight trainee dental nurses, three reception staff, two practice managers and three dental hygienists. The practice has six treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, both practice managers, one dental nurse and one of the receptionists. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
8.00am to 4.00pm Monday and Tuesday
8.00am to 3.00pm Wednesday
9.00am to 6.00pm Thursday
9.00am to 2.00pm alternate Fridays