Updated 11 April 2018
We carried out this announced inspection on 8 March 2018 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.
We told the NHS England area team and Healthwatch that we were inspecting the practice. They did not have any relevant information to share with us regarding this dental practice.
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
Boston Smiles Centre Care is situated in the centre of Boston in Lincolnshire. The practice provides both private and NHS dental treatment.
The practice has four treatment rooms, all of which are located on the ground floor. There are a number of pay and display car parks close to the practice.
The dental team includes: three dentists, one part time dental hygienist, one qualified dental nurse, two trainee dental nurses, two receptionists and a practice manager.
The practice is owned by an organisation and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the Care Quality Commission 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 the practice is the owner of the business.
On the day of inspection we received feedback from 52 patients. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.
During the inspection we spoke with three dentists, three dental nurses, one receptionist, the practice manager and the registered manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice opening hours are: Monday: 8am to 8pm; Tuesday 8am to 6:30pm; Wednesday 8am to 8pm; Thursday 8am to 6:30pm; Friday: 8am to 6:30pm; Saturday: 8:30am to 3pm and alternate Sundays : for emergencies 9am to 12:30pm.
Our key findings were:
- The practice was situated in new premises, so the entire premises had been in use as a dental practice for a little over two months.
- The practice had infection control procedures which followed published guidance.
- The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided, and received positive feedback.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice used digital X-rays and rectangular collimation was fitted to all X-ray machines within the practice.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risks in the practice, particularly with regard to health and safety.
- The practice had suitable safeguarding processes. Staff had been trained and knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took measures to protect their privacy and personal information.
- The practice completed regular audits and used the information to make improvements.
- The appointment system met patients’ needs.
- The practice had effective leadership. Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.