Updated 22 October 2020
We carried out this desk-based review on 14 September and 2 October 2020 under section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions.
We carried out the review as a result of concerns raised with us that the provider may not be meeting the fundamental standards of care. We planned the review to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The review was led by a CQC inspector with remote access to a second CQC inspector.
This question forms the framework for the areas we look at during the review.
This desk-based review was undertaken during the Covid 19 pandemic. Due to the demands and constraints in place because of Covid 19 we spoke with the provider, looked at documents they sent us and reviewed records via a video link to the practice.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment we asked the following questions:
- Is it safe?
- Is it effective?
- Is it responsive?
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 responsive?
We found this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
Impression Orthodontics (trading as Making Smiles) is in High Wycombe and provides NHS and private orthodontic treatment to patients of all ages.
The practice is based on the first and second floor. Patients are advised of this when they enquire.
The dental team includes two specialist orthodontists, one dentist with special interest, two orthodontist therapists, four dental nurses of which two also cover reception duties and an administrator.
The practice has two treatment rooms.
The practice is owned by a company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the CQC 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 Impressions Orthodontics is the principal orthodontist.
We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open 9am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 1pm on Friday.
Our key findings were:
- The provider had procedures in place which took account of published guidance, including guidance about providing dental care services during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- The provider had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
- The provider had systems in place to deal with complaints positively and efficiently.