The CQC carried out the inspection of Maryport Smile Centre on Bridge Street in August and a report, published last week, reveals that the dental practice “had not met all regulations.”
CQC inspectors determined that the dental practice met requirements on safety, effectiveness, caring for patients and being responsive.
However, the dental surgery, also known as Alauna Dental Care, was not fully compliant with regulations around being “well-led.”
A stock image of a patient at a dentist.
Although patients have given a positive report of the care the practice provides, CQC inspectors found that the leadership of the practice “had ineffective systems or processes to enable them to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the services being provided.”
In this respect, the practice was in breach of Regulation 17 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
CQC inspectors found that the practice had “ineffective processes for identifying risk and managing risks identified from safety reports and assessments.
“We have documented these concerns and omissions in an action plan request to the provider.”
Alauna Dental Care on Bridge Street in Maryport. (Image: Newsquest)
The report acknowledges that staff at the practice, which provides private and NHS dentistry, were responsive when given feedback, “telling us they would act on areas requiring improvement immediately.”
But it said: “Where we could see staff had clear responsibilities, systems of accountability to support good governance were not in place.”
Patients were encouraged to share their views on the care of the practice two weeks prior to the inspection.
A child receiving a check-up at a dental practice. (Image: RADAR)
Feedback was examined on the day of the inspection and the CQC found that patients gave “a positive view of the dental team and care provided by the practice.”
The practice has a rating of 4.8 out of five on Google Reviews, with many patients giving its care four or five stars.
One patient said that they were given a “very thorough examination,” finding each of the three staff members she dealt with to be “polite and professional.”
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Another patient found Maryport Smile Centre’s dentist to be “very helpful and friendly,” putting patients at ease.
Inspectors found that staff of the practice were treating patients “with dignity and respect,” providing access to care, support and treatment when required.
CQC inspectors found that the practice is “providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations and had taken into consideration appropriate guidance.