Updated 17 June 2022
We undertook an announced focused inspection of Fresh Dental Smiles Clinic on 25 May 2022. This inspection was carried out under section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions, and to confirm that the practice was now meeting legal requirements. The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment we usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:
As part of this inspection we asked:
• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• Is it well-led?
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 well-led?
We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.
Our findings were:
- The dental clinic was visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The practice had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff 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.
- There was effective leadership and management.
- Improvements could be made to ensure effective quality assurance systems were in place for conscious sedation and the Dental Cone Beam (Computed Tomography) scanner.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
- The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
Background
Fresh Dental Smiles Clinic is in Rawcliffe, York and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available at the practice.
The dental team includes a principal dentist, one associate dentist, four dental nurses (two of whom are trainee dental nurses) a dental hygiene therapist and two dedicated receptionists. The practice has three treatment rooms. The practice has a visiting clinician and an on-site clinical dental technician.
During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, three dental nurses and one receptionist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open: Monday 9am to 7pm, Tuesday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Review the practice's protocols and procedures for the use of X-ray equipment in compliance with The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 and Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 and taking into account HPA-CRCE-010 Guidance on the Safe Use of Dental Cone Beam (Computed Tomography). In particular: Image quality test parameters (calibration).
- Take action to ensure audits of conscious sedation are undertaken at regular intervals to improve the quality of the service. Practice should also ensure that, where appropriate, audits have documented learning points and the resulting improvements can be demonstrated.