Wansford Smile Studio

We carried out this announced focused inspection on 8 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.

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.
• Safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• 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.
• Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• Staff and patients were asked for feedback about the services provided.
• Patient complaints were dealt with in a timely and professional way.
• The dental clinic had appropriate information governance arrangements in place.
• Recruitment procedures were not effective and appropriate disclosure and barring service checks had not been completed for staff.
• There was no system in place to ensure staff kept up to date with essential training.
• Auditing systems for infection control and anti-microbial prescribing were not effective.

Background

Wansford Smile Studio provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children. The practice shares its premises with a GP medical centre, who take responsibility for fire safety and legionella management.

There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available on site.

The dental team includes two dentists, a practice manager and three dental nurses. The practice has two treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with one dentist, the practice manager and a dental nurse. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8.30am to 5.30pm, and on Fridays from 8.30am to 1pm. The practice is closed on Wednesdays.

We identified regulations the provider was not complying with. They must:

Establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care. Full details of the regulation the provider was not meeting are at the end of this report..