Densmile Dental Care

On this page

• Overview
• Person-centred Care
• Care provision, Integration and continuity
• Providing Information
• Listening to and involving people
• Equity in access
• Equity in experiences and outcomes
• Planning for the future

We found this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Find out what we look at when we assess this area in our information about our new Single assessment framework.

The judgement for Person-centred Care is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.

The judgement for Care provision, Integration and continuity is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.

The judgement for Providing Information is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.

The judgement for Listening to and involving people is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.

The practice organised and delivered services to meet patients’ needs and preferences. Patients could access care and treatment from the practice within an acceptable timescale for their needs. The practice had an appointment system to respond to patients’ needs. Patients had enough time during their appointment and did not feel rushed.

Leaders and staff described the reasonable adjustments they had made to ensure the practice was accessible. We saw that a hearing induction loop and magnifying glass was available to assist patients who had hearing and sight difficulties. The patient information folder in the waiting room gave information to patients in various languages. The practice was located on the ground floor of the building, however there was a step to gain entrance to the practice and a few steps into the waiting room. The patient toilet was on the first floor of the building. We were told that new patients were advised that the practice was not wheelchair accessible and would be signposted to the sister practice which is wheelchair accessible. The practice had access to translation service, although we were informed that staff at the practice could speak and understand a variety of languages and the translation service was rarely used. Staff were clear about the importance of providing emotional support to patients when delivering care.

Staff had carried out a disability access audit and had formulated an action plan to continually improve access for patients. The practice supported more vulnerable members of society such as patients living with dementia or adults and children with a learning disability. The practice displayed its opening hours and provided information on their website, patient information leaflet and social media page. The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to NICE guidelines. The practice provided telephone numbers for patients needing emergency dental treatment during the working day and when the practice was not open. Staff took part in an emergency on-call arrangement with another local practice and patients were directed to the appropriate out of hours service. At the time of inspection, patients who needed an urgent appointment were offered one in a timely manner. When the practice was unable to offer an urgent appointment, they worked with their sister practice to support urgent access for patients.

The judgement for Equity in experiences and outcomes is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.

The judgement for Planning for the future is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.