The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Perfect Smile Muswell Hill

438 Muswell Hill Broadway, London, N10 1BS

Provided and run by:
Perfect Smile Surgery Limited

All Inspections

15 November 2023

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 15 November 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 practice had systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises.
  • 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 effective leadership and 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

Perfect Smile Muswell Hill is part of Perfect Smile, a group dental provider.

The practice is in the London Borough of Haringey, and provides NHS and private dental care treatment for adults and children.

Pay and display parking is available outside the practice.

The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 7 dentists, 2 dental hygienists, 2 qualified dental nurses, and 3 trainee dental nurses. The clinical team are supported by 1 practice manager and 2 receptionists.

The practice has 4 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist, 2 dental nurses, and 1 receptionist. We also spoke with the regional manager.

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

The practice is open:

8.30am to 6pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

8.30am to 7pm on Tuesdays.

8.30am to 8pm on Thursdays.

8.30am to 1pm on alternate Saturdays.

15 March 2016

During a routine inspection

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 15 March 2016 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations

Are services effective?

We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations

Are services caring?

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations

Are services responsive?

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

Are services well-led?

We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations

Background

Perfect Smile Muswell Hill provides NHS and private dental treatment to patients of all ages in Muswell Hill and the surrounding areas.

Practice staffing consists of eight dentists, two hygienist, three dental nurses, two receptionists and a practice manager.

One of the directors of the company is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

The practice is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6pm and Saturdays 9am to 1pm

The practice facilities include three treatment rooms, reception and waiting area, decontamination room, X-ray room, office and a staff room/kitchen.

32 patients provided feedback about the service. Patients we spoke with and those who completed comment cards were very positive about the care they received about the service. Patients told us that they were happy with the treatment and advice they had received.

Our key findings were:

  • There were systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. Dental instruments were cleaned and sterilised in line with current guidance.
  • There were systems in place to ensure that all equipment was maintained in line with manufacturer’s guidelines.
  • Staff had received safeguarding children and adults training and knew the processes to follow to raise any concerns. The practice had whistleblowing policies and procedure and staff were aware of these and their responsibilities to report any concerns.
  • The practice ensured staff were trained and that they maintained the necessary skills and competence to support the needs of patients.
  • There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
  • Staff had been trained to handle medical emergencies, and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available.
  • Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
  • Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
  • The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.
  • The practice had a procedure for handling and responding to complaints, which were displayed and available to patients.
  • Governance systems were effective and there were a range of policies and procedures in place which underpinned the management of the practice. Clinical and non-clinical audits were carried out to monitor the quality of services.
  • The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided and acted on this to improve its services.