Cheshire Smile Clinic Hunts Cross Liverpool

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.