Smile With Us

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 19 April 2023 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 advisor.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following 5 questions:

• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• Is it caring?
• Is it responsive to people’s needs?
• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

Our findings were:

• The dental clinic appeared 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 provider did not operate effective 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.
• Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
• Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
• The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
• There was a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved, supported and worked as a team.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
• The practice had information governance arrangements.

Background

Smile with Us is in Kidlington and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is step free access, via a portable ramp, to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs.

Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes:

• 4 dentists
• 3 dental nurses
• 3 dental hygienists
• 1 practice treatment coordinator
• 1 administrator
• 2 receptionists
• 1 clinical dental technician

The practice has 4 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist, 2 dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist and 2 receptionists.

We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

• Monday 8.45am to 5.00pm
• Tuesday 8.45am to 5.15pm
• Wednesday 8.45am to 5.00pm
• Thursday 8.45am to 7.00pm
• Friday 8.45am to 2.00pm

We identified regulations the provider was not complying with.

They must:

• Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.

Full details of the regulation the provider was not meeting are at the end of this report.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements.

They should:

• Review the necessity of a second oxygen cylinder where appropriate for the practice's circumstances.
  
• Take action to ensure the availability of an interpreter service for patients who do not speak English as their first language.