Updated 13 February 2020
We carried out this announced inspection on 14 January 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
Perfect Smile Tyldesley is in Tyldesley, Manchester and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
The practice has a portable ramp for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. There is additional access for patients directly from the public car park, including parking for blue badge holders, at the rear of the premises.
The dental team includes five dentists, nine dental nurses (four of which are trainees), a dental hygienist, a practice manager and an assistant manager. The practice has six treatment rooms. A seventh treatment room is currently under construction.
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 Perfect Smile Tyldesley is the company compliance lead.
On the day of inspection, we collected 20 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 two dentists, four dental nurses, the dental hygienist, the practice manager, the assistant manager and the company compliance lead. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
Monday – Thursday 9am to 5.30pm
Friday 9am to 5pm
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared to be visibly clean, tidy 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 the systems in place to track and monitor the use of NHS prescription pads.