• Dentist
  • Dentist

Brace Orthodontics

Davenport House, Bowers Way, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 4HX (01582) 769955

Provided and run by:
Harpenden Orthodontic Care Ltd

Report from 7 May 2024 assessment

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Well-led

Regulations met

Updated 28 August 2024

We found this practice was providing well-led 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.

Shared direction and culture

Regulations met

The judgement for Shared direction and culture is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders

Regulations met

The judgement for Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

Freedom to speak up

Regulations met

The judgement for Freedom to speak up is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion

Regulations met

The judgement for Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

Governance, management and sustainability

Regulations met

We found staff to be open to discussion and feedback. The practice staff demonstrated a transparent and open culture in relation to people’s safety. Staff told us there was strong leadership with emphasis on people’s safety and continually striving to improve. Staff told us they had clear responsibilities, roles and systems of accountability to support good governance and management. Feedback from staff was obtained through meetings and informal discussions. Staff were encouraged to offer suggestions for improvements to the service, and they said these were listened to and acted upon, where appropriate. One staff member said “the manager is always available and open to listen to me when needed. If I have anything to be discussed I feel very comfortable to talk with her”. Staff stated they felt respected, supported and valued. They were proud to work in the practice. We saw the practice had effective processes to support and develop staff with additional roles and responsibilities. Staff told us how they collected and responded to feedback from patients, the public and external partners. The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability by recycling where appropriate.

Systems and processes were mostly embedded, and staff worked together in such a way that where the assessment identified areas which required improvement these were acted on immediately. The information and evidence presented during the assessment was clear and well documented. The practice had a governance system which included policies, protocols and procedures that were accessible to all members of staff and were reviewed on a regular basis. The dental practice was part of a leased building and the processes for identifying and managing the risks associated with fire and Legionella were not always clear. However, we saw that the practice principal was working with the compliance manager to ensure that they meet their responsibilities for managing these risks The practice had systems to review and investigate incidents and accidents, and for receiving and acting on safety alerts. The practice responded to concerns and complaints appropriately. Staff discussed outcomes to share learning and improve the service. The practice had systems and processes for learning, quality assurance and continuous improvement. This included undertaking audits according to recognised guidance.

Partnerships and communities

Regulations met

The judgement for Partnerships and communities is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.

Learning, improvement and innovation

Regulations met

The judgement for Learning, improvement and innovation is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Well-led key question.