AP Smilecare

We carried out this announced inspection on 18 February 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

AP Smilecare is in Blackburn and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

A power lift is available outside the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking restricted to two hours is available directly outside the practice. The practice has arrangements with a business opposite the practice to enable visitors and patients who need to park for longer. This car park includes dedicated parking for people with disabilities.

The dental team includes three dentists, seven dental nurses (including two trainees), three dental hygiene therapists, a decontamination technician, two receptionists and a practice manager. The practice has five treatment rooms. Two implant dentists and an orthodontist attend as required with an orthodontic therapist.

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 53 CQC comment cards filled in by patients. These provided a positive view of the dental team and care provided by the practice.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, dental nurses, a dental hygiene therapist, a receptionist 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 8.30am to 6.00 pm

Tuesday 8.30am to 7.30 pm

Wednesday 8.30am to 6.00 pm

Thursday 8.30am to 7.30 pm

Friday 8.30am to 6.00 pm

Saturday 8.30am to 1.30pm (by prior arrangement)

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 provided preventive care and 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 dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
• The provider had information governance arrangements.

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

• Improve and develop the practice's policies and procedures for obtaining patient consent to care and treatment for dental implants to ensure they are in compliance with legislation, take into account relevant guidance, and staff follow them.

• Take action to ensure the practice stores patient sensitive information securely.