Updated 7 September 2022
We carried out this announced focused inspection on 12 July 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 was 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.
- Staff took care to protect patients their privacy and personal information.
- Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
- There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked as a team.
- Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
- The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.
Background
The provider has two locations; this report is about Sunny Smiles Dental Innovations- Upminster.
Sunny Smiles Dental Innovations is in Upminster in the North East London Borough of Havering. They provide NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
This is a single storey building used as a dental surgery. The practice has made practical adjustments to support patients with additional needs, for example, there is ramp access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for people with disabilities, are available on both the premises and surrounding roads.
The dental team includes the principal dentist, an associate dentist, two qualified dental nurses, a trainee dental nurse and two dental hygienists. Reception duties are shared between the three dental nurses. The practice has two treatment rooms and a separate decontamination room.
During the inspection we spoke with the principal dentist and two of the dental nurses. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Outside of these hours, patients are advised to contact the NHS 111 for urgent care and treatment.
There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:
- Take action to ensure the clinicians take into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry when completing dental care records.
- 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 safety data sheets are available and accessible to all staff.
- Improve the practice's protocols for medicines management and ensure all medicines are stored and dispensed of safely and securely.