Brickfield Dental Care

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 7 March 2023 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 practice 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 always ask 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.
• Complaints were dealt with positively and efficiently.
• The dental clinic had information governance arrangements.

Background

Brickfield Dental Care is in South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford, Essex and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children. The practice is a training practice for both Foundation Training (FT) dentists and trainee dental nurses. One dentist is a dental trainer and we noted all the clinicians are actively involved in teaching and postgraduate education.

Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with additional needs.

The dental team includes 6 dentists, 1 foundation dentist, 9 dental nurses including 1 trainee dental nurse, 5 dental hygienists, 4 receptionists and 3 practice managers. The practice has 7 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 5 dentists, 5 dental nurses, 2 receptionists and 2 practice managers. We looked at practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.

The practice is open:

Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm.

Tuesday every other week from 8.30am to 8pm.

Saturday every other week from 8.30am to 1pm.

We noted innovative approaches to providing person centred care. Treatment rooms all had digital screens positioned above the treatment chairs on the ceilings, patients were able to listen to a personalised music menu. The practice took steps to help relax anxious patients to ensure they had a positive experience during treatment. The practice had invested in dental chairs that offered additional comfort to patients.