Cheshire Smile Clinic Hunts Cross Liverpool

Updated 27 August 2015

The inspection took place on 08 July 2015. It was led by a CQC inspector who was accompanied by a specialist advisor.

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

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it caring?

• Is it responsive to people’s needs?

• Is it well-led?

These questions therefore formed the framework for the areas we looked at during the inspection. Prior to the inspection we asked the practice to send us some information which we reviewed. This included the complaints they had received in the last 12 months, their latest statement of purpose, the details of their staff members, their qualifications and proof of registration with their professional bodies.

We also reviewed information we held about the practice and found there were no areas of concern. The practice comprises of one treatment room located within another dental practice. Some facilities such as reception, waiting rooms and the decontamination room are shared. During the inspection we spoke with the dentist and dental nurse assistant. We spoke with members of the dental practice with whom the practice shared facilities. We reviewed policies, procedures and other documents. We reviewed 42 comment cards that we had left prior to the inspection, for patients to complete, about the services provided at the practice.

Updated 27 August 2015

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 08 July 2015. The practice has one principal dentist and one associate dentist a specialist periodontist. There is one dental nurse assistant, and the practice contracts the services of two dental hygiene therapists. The practice provides dental services to private patients. The practice is open Monday, Thursday and Friday 8.15am – 4.30pm.

The principal dentist is the registered provider. A registered provider is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered providers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

We viewed 42 CQC comment cards that had been left for patients to complete prior to our visit, about the services provided. All of the comment cards reflected positive comments about the staff and the services provided. Patients commented that the practice was clean and hygienic; they found the staff very friendly, understanding, caring and professional. They had trust and confidence in the dental treatments and said explanations were clear and understandable.

The practice was providing care which was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Our key findings were:

• The practice recorded and analysed significant events and complaints and lessons learnt were shared with staff.
• Staff had received safeguarding training, demonstrated awareness and knowledge and knew the processes to follow to raise any concerns.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies and emergency medicines and emergency equipment were readily available.
• Infection control procedures were in place and the practice followed published guidance.
• Patient’s care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines, best practice and current legislation.
• Patients received clear explanations and written information about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.

• The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.
• The practice staff felt involved and worked as a team. Governance systems were in place.

• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and they should:

• Ensure that national patient safety and other relevant alerts and guidance is followed and actions taken recorded.
• Ensure the procedures for storage of paper records meets health and safety and fire regulations in accordance with the Department of Health's code of Practice for Records Management (NHS Code of Practice 2006) and other relevant guidance about information security and governance.