Archived: Transform Smiles

We carried out this announced inspection on 14 May 2019 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 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:

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

Transform Smiles is in Chichester, West Sussex and private treatment to patients of all ages.

The practice is accessible via a ramp for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Parking spaces for blue badge holders are available outside the practice.

The dental team includes two dentists, one dental hygienist, one clinical dental technician, two dental nurses and two receptionists. A practice manager from another local practice has been supporting the practice until such a time as one can be appointed on a permanent basis. The practice has two treatment rooms. Additionally, the practice has an on-site dental laboratory although this is regulated by the Medicines and Health Care Products Regulatory Agency and as such was not subject to this inspection.

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. At the time of inspection there was no registered manager in post, a condition of registration; however, the provider was aware of this and was working towards appointing a suitable person.

We collected feedback about the practice from 9 patients.

During the inspection we spoke with an associate dentist, the clinical dental technician, one dental nurse, one receptionist, the practice manager and the clinical director for the company. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

• Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm
• Saturday upon request

Our key findings were:

• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had systems to help them manage risk.
• The provider had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• The practice had thorough staff recruitment procedures.
• 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 were providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
• The appointment system took account of patients’ needs.
• The practice had a leadership structure and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Staff felt involved and supported; and worked well as a team.
• The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The practice staff dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
• The practice staff had suitable information governance arrangements.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

• Review their telephone answer message when the practice is closed to ensure that patients know how to contact in a dental emergency. This information should also be reflected on the practice website.