Updated 16 August 2021
We carried out this announced focussed inspection on 5 July 2021 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 provider 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 adviser.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we asked the following three questions:
• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• Is it well-led?
These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.
Our findings were:
Are services safe?
We found this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services effective?
We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services well-led?
We found this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
Simply Smiles Manchester Limited is in Salford and provides NHS and private treatment to adults and children.
There are some steps to access the premises. A portable ramp is available for wheelchair users. Car parking spaces are available near the practice.
The dental team includes one dentist, a dental nurse, a dental hygienist and therapist and a practice manager. The practice has one treatment room.
The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the Care Quality Commission as the registered manager. Registered managers 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 registered manager at Simply Smiles Manchester Limited is the principal dentist.
During the inspection we spoke with the dentist, the 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 from 9am to 1pm
Tuesday from 2pm to 6pm (Hygienist 9am to 6pm alternate weeks)
Wednesday 9am to 1pm (Hygienist 5pm to 8pm)
Thursday to Saturday closed
Sunday 9am to 1pm
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared to be visibly clean and well-maintained.
- The provider had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available. However, some equipment had passed its expiry date.
- The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff. Improvements could be made to the system for managing the risks associated with fire and substances which are hazardous to health.
- The provider had safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- The provider had staff recruitment procedures which reflected current legislation.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
- The provider had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- The provider had information governance arrangements.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Implement an effective system of checks of medical emergency equipment and medicines taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK).
- Improve the practice's processes for the control and storage of substances hazardous to health identified by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, to ensure risk assessments are undertaken for all products.
- Assess the current fire safety risk assessment and ensure ongoing fire safety management is effective.