Bishops Stortford Orthodontic Practice

On this page

• Overview
• Assessing needs
• Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
• How staff, teams and services work together
• Supporting people to live healthier lives
• Monitoring and improving outcomes
• Consent to care and treatment

We found this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations and had taken into consideration appropriate guidance.

Find out what we look at when we assess this area in our information about our new Single assessment framework.

The judgement for Assessing needs is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Effective key question.

The provider had systems in place to ensure that people who used the service received person-centred care and treatment that was appropriate, met their needs and was reflective of their personal preferences. Staff told us how they kept up to date with current evidence-based practice. The practice provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health. There was a dedicated tooth brushing area for patients in the practice. Staff felt the practice supported them to develop and enabled them to take on lead roles and responsibilities. Staff worked together and with other health and social care professionals to deliver effective care and treatment. Staff demonstrated their understanding of the need to obtain patients’ consent to care and treatment in line with legislation and guidance. They understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Staff described how they involved patients’ relatives or carers when appropriate and made sure they had enough time to explain treatment options clearly.

Staff demonstrated the specialist orthodontic software in use, which allows tooth movement and orthodontic progress to be monitored remotely and also allowed the practice to assess patients and then proactively arrange appointments when needed. Additionally, patients could message the clinicians with any questions or concerns through this platform. We saw that the practice’s website contained multiple videos made by the service, to help patients with common orthodontic questions and concerns. For example, what to do if a wire comes out, or if a bracket becomes loose. Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. The practice had systems to keep dental professionals up to date with current evidence-based practice. The practice offered orthodontic treatment for patients. The orthodontist carried out a patient assessment in line with recognised guidance from the British Orthodontic Society. We looked at a sample of patient care records. The information recorded in these patient care records was in line with recognised guidance. Staff obtained patients’ consent to care and treatment in line with legislation and guidance. They understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. We saw evidence the dentists justified, graded and reported on the radiographs they took. NHS prescription pads were kept securely, and a log was in place to monitor and track their use. Staff worked together and with other health and social care professionals to deliver effective care and treatment.

The judgement for How staff, teams and services work together is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Effective key question.

The judgement for Supporting people to live healthier lives is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Effective key question.

The judgement for Monitoring and improving outcomes is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Effective key question.

The judgement for Consent to care and treatment is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Effective key question.