Smiles in Tandem

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 21 November 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 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 adviser.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we ask five key 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 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 emergency equipment and medicines were available. The disposing of out-of-date stock needed review.
• The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff, we noted that a lone working risk assessment needed to be in place.
• 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 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 had information governance arrangements.

Background

Smiles in Tandem is on the outskirts of Huddersfield and provides NHS and private dental care for adults and children.

There is level access to the practice with a ground floor surgery and disabled bathroom on the ground floor. The practice has its own car parking at the rear of the building and local transport routes are nearby.

The dental team includes 3 dentists, 1 dental hygienist, 1 dental therapist, 4 dental nurses and a practice manager. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with the owner (principal dentist) the practice manager and 2 nurses. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm and twice a month on a Tuesday until 7pm.

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

• Improve the practice's protocols for medicines management and ensure all medicines are stored and disposed of safely and securely.
• Improve the process for tracking and monitoring the use of NHS prescription pads in the practice.
• Implement a lone working policy for staff who work at the practice out of normal working hours.
• Ensure that the hand-held X-ray equipment is securely stored.