The Orthodontic Centre (Reading) Ltd

We carried out this announced inspection on 5 October 2023 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 practice 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 advisor.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following 5 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:

• The dental clinic appeared clean and well-maintained.
• Improvements were needed to infection control procedures to ensure they reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises but improvements were needed to ensure processes were effective.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
• The frequency of appointments was agreed between the orthodontist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
• Staff told us that leaders were approachable, they felt involved, valued and respected and the service was a good place to work.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
• The practice had information governance arrangements.

Background

The Orthodontic Centre (Reading) Ltd is in Reading and provides NHS and private orthodontic dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is step free access (via a portable ramp) to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs.
Car parking for disabled people is available near the practice.

The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients’ access requirements.

The dental team includes 2 specialist orthodontist, 3 dentist with specialist interest (DWSI), 5 orthodontic therapists, 7 dental nurses, 3 reception staff, 1 practice manager, 3 treatment coordinators and 1 administrator.

The practice has 8 treatment areas.

During the inspection we spoke with 1 orthodontist, 1 orthodontic therapist, 3 dental nurses, 2 receptionists, 1 treatment coordinator and the practice manager.

We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

• 8.00am to 4.30pm Monday
• 8.15am to 7.00pm Tuesday and Thursday
• 8.15am to 5.30pm Wednesday
• 7.45am to 4.15pm Friday
• 8.15am to 1.00pm One Saturday per month

We identified regulations the provider was not complying with. They must:

• Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.

Full details of the regulation the provider was not meeting is at the end of this report.

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

• Improve the practice's systems for assessing, monitoring and mitigating the various risks arising from the undertaking of the regulated activities. In particular, ensure x-ray equipment and emergency medicines and equipment are monitored when not being used.