We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 21 June 2016 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

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

Fresh Smile Clinic is situated in Brighouse, West Yorkshire. It offers mainly private treatment to patients of all ages but has a small NHS contract. The services include preventative advice and treatment, routine restorative dental care and dental implants.

The practice currently has three surgeries, a waiting area, a reception area and an X-ray room. The reception area, waiting area and two surgeries are on the ground floor of the premises. The other surgery and the X-ray room are on the first floor of the premises.

There are four dentists, two dental hygiene therapists, four dental nurses (including one trainee), a reception manager (who is also a qualified dental nurse) and a practice manager.

The opening hours are Monday from 9-00am to 5-30pm, Tuesday from 9-00am to 7-00pm, Wednesday from 9-00am to 5-00pm, Thursday from 8-30am to 5-00pm and Friday from 8-30am to 4-00pm. They are also open the first Saturday of each month from 9-00am to 1-00pm.

The practice owner is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an individual. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

During the inspection we received feedback from 15 patients. The patients were positive about the care and treatment they received at the practice. Comments included that the premises were safe and hygienic and that staff were welcoming, caring and friendly. Patients also commented that the dentists always listened to their concerns and provided detailed advice about treatments.

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and hygienic.
• The practice had systems in place to assess and manage risks to patients and staff including infection prevention, control and health and safety and the management of medical emergencies.
• Staff were qualified and had received training appropriate to their roles.
• Dental care records were detailed and showed that treatment was planned in line with current best practice guidelines.
• We observed that patients were treated with kindness and respect by staff.
• Patients were able to make routine and emergency appointments when needed.
• The practice had a complaints system in place and there was an openness and transparency in how these were dealt with.
• There were clearly defined leadership roles within the practice and staff told us that they felt supported, appreciated and comfortable to raise concerns or make suggestions.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

• Review the practice’s protocol for completing the X-ray audit.
• Review the Legionella risk assessment and ensure all recommendations are completed.
• Review the availability of a policy for the use of the cone beam computed tomography machine.