Updated 9 December 2022
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 22 November 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 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 orthodontic clinic had information governance arrangements.
Background
The provider has one practice and this report is about Confident Orthodontics.
Confident Orthodontics is in Taunton and provides private orthodontic treatment and dental hygienist treatment for adults and children.
All treatment rooms are on the ground floor and the practice is fully accessible to people with limited mobility or wheelchair users. Car parking spaces are available at the practice.
The dental team includes 1 orthodontist, 1 dental hygienist, 3 orthodontic therapists, 1 senior nurse, 1 treatment coordinator, 3 dental nurses and a practice manager/dental nurse. The practice has 6 treatment rooms, of which 4 are currently in use.
During the inspection we spoke with the orthodontist, the senior nurse, 1 dental nurse, 1 orthodontic therapist, 1 receptionist and the practice manager/dental nurse. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open: Monday 9.00am – 8.00pm
Tuesday 9.00am – 5.00pm
Wednesday 8.00am – 5.00pm
Thursday 9.00am – 5.00pm
Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm
Saturday 9.00am – 4.00pm
The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, some patients’ treatments are monitored by both physical examination and online photographic review. This reduces the number of patient journeys needed to the practice. Patients using plastic braces are encouraged to recycle them at the practice when they are changed. Used sterile instrument pouches at the practice are recyclable.