Signature Smile Dental Surgery

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 26 July 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 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:

• 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 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.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

Signature Dental Surgery is in Woodford in the North East London Borough of Redbridge. They provide private dental care and treatment for adults and a small percentage of children.

There is a small step to access the practice so access for those people who use wheelchairs and pushchairs is not possible without a ramp. Ample paid car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice.

The dental team includes the principal dentist who is a specialist in oral surgery, a qualified dental nurse and two part-time receptionists. The practice has one treatment room, an x-ray room, combined reception/waiting area and a separate decontamination room.

During the inspection we spoke with the dentist and the dental nurse. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open Monday to Thursday 9am to 6pm and Friday 9am to 1pm. Outside of these hours, patients are advised to telephone the practice out of hours mobile number for emergency care and treatment.

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.

• Improve the practice protocols regarding auditing patient dental care records to check that necessary information is recorded.

• Improve the practice's processes for the control and storage of substances hazardous to health identified by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, to ensure risk assessments are undertaken and the products are stored securely.