- Dentist
Watford Smiles - 107 Hempstead Road
Report from 18 September 2024 assessment
Contents
Judgements
Our view of the service
We carried out this on-site announced assessment on 25 September 2024. We found the practice had not met all regulations. Patients were treated with dignity and respect. At the time of our assessment, patients could access care, support and treatment when required. Patients’ care and treatment was provided in line with current guidance. Record keeping required improvement. There was a lack of effective leadership, and not all risks associated with undertaking of regulated activities had been identified and mitigated. Improvement could be made to recruitment procedures to ensure that appropriate checks are completed prior to new staff commencing employment at the practice. Infection control procedures did not entirely follow published guidance. This service is registered with CQC under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 in respect of some, but not all, of the services it provides. There are some exemptions from regulation by CQC which relate to particular types of regulated activities and services and these are set out in Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. The service provides cosmetic treatments, some of which are not in-scope such as certain facial aesthetics procedures. Watford Smiles-107 Hempstead Road is in Watford and provides predominantly private with a small contract to provide NHS dental care and treatment for adults and children. There were 2 steps into the practice with a portable ramp for wheelchair users. Car parking spaces were available at the practice. The practice had 4 treatment rooms. During the assessment we spoke with 1 principal dentist, 2 dental nurses, 4 trainee dental nurses and the practice manager. The provider was not complying with 1 regulation. Full details of the regulation the provider was not meeting are within the quality statement section of the report. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.
People's experience of this service
Two weeks before our onsite assessment, we asked the practice to encourage patients to share their views of the service with us. We received feedback from 5 patients. On the day of our assessment, we received patient feedback from a further 7 patients. Patient feedback provided a positive view of the dental team and care provided by the practice. Patients commented positively about the standards of cleanliness. Patients felt able to book appointments within an acceptable timescale for their needs and said they had enough time during their appointment without feeling rushed. Patients told us they were given clear information to help them make an informed choice about their treatment and any associated costs. They were involved in decisions about their care. Comments included, “The practice is welcoming, efficient and clean, and the ladies on reception are amazing. Everyone I've dealt with has been kind, friendly and professional, and I'm more than happy with the service here....” and “Great service, fantastic people. Clean, concise treatments - super friendly....” Patients told us that when they were prescribed medicines, sufficient information was given. The practice shared patient feedback with the team. We were told this was reviewed and where suggestions had been made, appropriate action would be taken.