Archived: Andover Smile Centre

Updated 19 March 2015

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the practice was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and to pilot a new inspection process being introduced by the CQC.

• This inspection was carried out on 15 January 2015. Our inspection team was led by a CQC Lead Inspector the team also included a specialist dental advisor.
• Prior to the inspection we reviewed information we held about the provider. We also viewed information that we asked the provider to send us in advance of the inspection.
• During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist who is also the registered manager, a dental nurse and the practice receptionist.
• We observed staff interaction with patients and looked around the premises and the treatment rooms.
• We spoke with four patients and reviewed 22 comment cards to obtain their views about the staff and the services provided.
• We reviewed a range of policies and procedures and other documents.
• The specialist dental advisor reviewed a sample of clinical records to assess their quality and structure.

We informed Healthwatch that we were inspecting the practice; however we did not receive any information of concern from them.

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

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

These questions therefore formed the framework for the areas we looked at during the inspection.

Updated 19 March 2015

The inspection took place on 15 January 2015 as part of our national programme of comprehensive inspections. This practice had not previously been inspected under the current ownership.

Andover Smile Centre provides private dental treatment to patients of all ages. The practice provides general dental services and specialist treatments such as orthodontics, implants and inhalation sedation. (This form of sedation is a mixture of anaesthetic gas and oxygen breathed through a nosepiece. This helps patients to feel relaxed and accept treatment). The practice team consists of the principal dentist, who is the registered manager, a part time dentist a visiting implantologist and two part time dental hygienists. The clinical team are supported by four dental nurses one of whom works as the practice receptionist.

The practice consists of two treatment rooms with a reception and waiting area in between. All patient areas are on the ground floor with access suitable for all patients. There is a ramp and flat access to the practice building; however the practice toilet cannot be accessed by patients who require the use of a wheelchair.

During our inspection we spoke with four patients and reviewed 22 comments cards, which patients had completed in the week before our visit. All patients commented positively about the care and treatment they had received and the friendly, efficient and professional staff. A number of patients commented on the sympathetic, understanding dentist who had helped them overcome their fears and to make them more relaxed patients.

Our key findings were:

• The practice provided a clean well equipped environment
• All staff were kind and caring in the way they dealt with patients
• There was a regular schedule of staff meetings which included staff training.
• Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed. There were clear instructions for patients regarding out of hours care.
• There was clear leadership of the practice and staff told us they felt well supported and comfortable to raise concerns or make suggestions.

There were also areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

• Ensure the Infection control policy is updated to reflect the registered name of the practice and the layout of the practice premises.
• Provide staff with refresher training in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults to meet the requirements of their own practice training policy.
• Complete the risk assessment for Legionella and initiate a programme of monitoring.
• Complete a risk assessment in relation to dental hygienists working without dental nurse support.