Updated 14 April 2022
We undertook a follow up focused inspection iSmile dental Practice on 15 March 2022. This inspection was carried out to review in detail the actions taken by the registered provider to improve the quality of care and to confirm that the practice was now meeting legal requirements.
The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.
We undertook a comprehensive inspection of iSmile Dental Practice on 05 January 2022 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We found the registered provider was not providing safe, effective and well led care and was in breach of regulations 12, 17 and 18 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can read our report of that inspection by selecting the 'all reports' link for iSmile dental practice on our website www.cqc.org.uk.
As part of this inspection we asked:
• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• Is it well-led?
When one or more of the five questions are not met we require the service to make improvements and send us an action plan We then inspect again after a reasonable interval, focusing on the areas where improvement was required.
Our findings were:
Are services safe?
We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breaches we found at our inspection on 05 January 2022
Are services effective?
We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breaches we found at our inspection on 05 January 2022.
Are services well-led?
We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
The provider had made improvements in relation to the regulatory breaches we found at our inspection on 05 January 2022.
Background
iSmile Dental Practice is in Tunbridge Wells and provides private treatment for adults and children.
There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including some for blue badge holders, are available near the practice.
The dental team includes two dentists, two trainee dental nurses, and a practice manager. The practice has two treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with one dentist, one trainee dental nurse, and the practice manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open:
- Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5.15pm
- Friday – closed
- Saturday 10am to 4.30pm
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared to be visibly clean and maintained including the decontamination room
- The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies and all of the required medicines and equipment were available.
- The provider had systems to help them manage risks to patients and staff
- The provider had safeguarding processes and staff were aware of their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The provider had recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation
- Dental care records had improvements with recording some information, but further improvements were required.
- Clinical governance had improved, but further improvements were required in relation to auditing patient dental care records and antimicrobial prescribing.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records.
- 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.
- Take action to ensure the suitability of the premises and ensure all areas are fit for the purpose for which they are being used. In particular, ensure a five year electrical safety check is conducted and certificate is obtained.