The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Smileright

4b Cherry Tree Walk, London, EC1Y 8NX 07775 847960

Provided and run by:
Smileright Dencare Limited

All Inspections

26 September 2022

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 26 September 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 provider 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 asked 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.
  • The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

Smileright is in the London Borough of Islington, and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The practice is located on the ground and first floor of a building close to Barbican underground station. There is level access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice.

The team consists of 4 dentists and 2 dental nurses. They are supported by a practice manager and a compliance manager. The practice has 2 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, both dental nurses, the practice manager and the compliance manager. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday from 9am to 5.30pm.

26th May 2015

During a routine inspection

We carried out a comprehensive inspection of Smileright on the 26 May 2015.

Smileright is a dental practice that is located in the Barbican, City of London and only offers private treatment. The staff structure of the practice consists of nine dentists, four trainee dental nurses, a receptionist and a practice manager. On the day of the inspection there were two dentists, three trainee nurses, a receptionist and the registered manager on duty.

We spoke with one patient who used the service on the day of our inspection and reviewed 14 CQC comment cards that had been completed by patients prior to the inspection. The patient we spoke with was complimentary about the service. They told us they found the staff treated them with respect and were informative. The comments on the CQC comment cards were all complimentary about the staff and the service provided.

During the inspection we spoke with five members of staff, including the practice manager, who was also the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

To assess the quality of care provided by the practice, we looked at practice policies and protocols and other records. Our key findings were as follows:

  • There were appropriate infection control procedures in place to minimise the risk and spread of infection.
  • There was appropriate equipment available for staff to undertake their duties and the equipment was well maintained.
  • Patient’s needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered in line with current best practice guidance for example from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
  • Patient’s comments cards stated they were treated with dignity and respect and involved in treatment planning.
  • The practice had procedures in place to take into account any comments, concerns or complaints.
  • There were appropriate management arrangements in place. Staff told us they felt well supported and comfortable to raise concerns or make suggestions.

We found that this practice was providing safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

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

  • Review availability of equipment to manage medical emergencies giving due regard to guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK), and the General Dental Council (GDC) standards for the dental team.
  • Ensure staff use appropriate personal protective equipment including disposable aprons and follow recommended guidance related to uniforms giving due regard to guidelines issued by the Department of Health - Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices.