Smile NW London

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 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.

The dentist confirmed, where applicable, they referred patients to a range of specialists in primary and secondary care for treatment the practice did not provide.

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.

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 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 dental implants. Staff obtained full consent and kept detailed records.

The practice offered conscious sedation for patients. This was delivered by an external organisation. We reviewed records and found that sedation was delivered in accordance with guidelines. The practice’s systems included checks pre, intra and post treatment, emergency equipment requirements and sedation equipment checks.

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 5 patient care records. Some of the records were comprehensive and reflected recognised guidance. We saw instances where clinical care records did not show that the clinician discussed the advantages and disadvantages of the procedure and consent was not clearly documented. The provider told us these gaps were identified in the most recent audit.

Staff told us they 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 graded and reported on the radiographs they took, however, there were instances where the clinicians did not record the justification for taking the radiographs.

The practice had systems for the safe handling and prescribing of medicines. The provider dispensed a small supply of antimicrobial sachets as a prophylactic for those who required this prior to dental treatment. Antimicrobial prescribing audits were carried out.

Staff worked together and with other health and social care professionals to deliver care and treatment.

The practice had systems for referring patients with suspected cancer under the national Faster Diagnosis Standard.

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.