Eye Smile Whitton Corner

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 6 October 2022 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 adviser.

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 form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

Our findings were:

• The dental clinic was visibly clean and well-maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which largely reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with medical emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk to patients and staff.
• 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.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and staff 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.
• There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and 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 dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

The provider has 2 practices and this report is about Eye Smile Whitton Corner which is a dental clinic within a Health and Social Care Centre in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available on site.

The dental team includes 5 dentists, 2 dental nurses, 3 trainee dental nurses, a dental hygienist, a practice manager, a compliance consultant and a receptionist. The practice has 3 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist, 2 trainee dental nurses, the practice manager and the compliance consultant. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 6pm

Tuesday and Wednesday from 9am to 6:30pm

We noted innovative approaches to providing person centred care. For example, the practice has implemented Near-Infrared Imaging (NIRI) technology which is an alternative to X-rays for detecting dental caries effectively.