Smiles Ahead - Corby Limited

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 1 February 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 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 asked the following questions:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• 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.
• The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• 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 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.

Background

Smiles Ahead - Corby Limited provides 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, including parking for people with disabilities, are available just outside the practice.

The dental team includes two dentists, a practice manager, three dental nurses, three dental hygienists/therapists, and a receptionist. The practice has two treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with the practice manager, the principal dentist, a dental therapist, two dental nurses and the receptionist. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open on Mondays, Wednesday and Thursdays from 8.30am to 5.30pm; on Tuesdays from 8.30pm to 6pm and on Fridays from 9am to 1pm.

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

Implement audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry.