The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Smile 4 Life Also known as The Nottingham Runner

8A David Lane, The Nottingham Runner, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG6 0JU (0115) 849 1049

Provided and run by:
Milu Limited

All Inspections

29 March 2022

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 29 March 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 usually ask five key questions, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce time spent on site, only the following three questions were asked:

• 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:

  • The dental clinic appeared to be visibly 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 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

Smile 4 Life is in Nottingham close to the David Lane tram stop and provides private dental care and treatment.

The practice is located on the first floor of a building and is accessed via a flight of stairs. Should a patient with restricted mobility be unable to climb the staircase they would be directed to a local dental practice which has level access. Roadside car parking spaces are available near the practice.

The dental team includes four dentists, two dental nurses, one dental therapist, one receptionist and the practice manager. The practice has three treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with one dentist, two dental nurses, two receptionists 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 to Saturday from 10am to 6pm.

20 September 2018

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced inspection on 20 September 2018 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

Smile 4 Life is located in the David Lane area of Nottingham. The practice is well served by public transport including buses and trams. The practice provides private dental treatment to adults and children.

The practice is located on the first floor of a building and is accessed by using a flight of stairs. Any patients who are unable to climb the stairs will be referred to another practice a short distance away which is fully accessible. There is car parking available at the practice.

The dental team includes a medical director, a dentist, an orthodontist and one dental nurse and one practice manager. The practice has one treatment room which is located on the first floor.

The practice is owned by an organisation 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 practice manager is the registered manager.

On the day of inspection, we received feedback from nine patients.

During the inspection we spoke with one dental nurse, the nominated individual 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: Closed, Tuesday: 11.30am to 8pm, Wednesday: 10am to 8pm,

Thursday: Closed, 7.30am to 7pm, Friday: 11.30am to 7pm, Saturday and Sunday: closed.

Our key findings were:

  • The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
  • The practice staff 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 practice staff 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.
  • The practice did not have an induction hearing loop to assist patients with hearing loss who used a hearing aid.
  • The practice was providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
  • The appointment system met patients’ needs.
  • The practice had effective leadership and culture of continuous improvement.
  • Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.

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

  • Review its responsibilities to the needs of people with a disability, including those with hearing difficulties and the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.