• Dentist
  • Dentist

Lighthouse Dental Practice - C B Tocca Dental Practice

34 High Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 3QJ (01473) 257379

Provided and run by:
Mr. Bogdan Codrin Tocca

All Inspections

5 December 2023

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 5 December 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 advisor.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following 5 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 appeared 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 manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises.
  • 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.
  • Clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
  • Patients were treated with dignity and respect. Staff took care to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
  • Staff provided preventive care and supported patients to ensure better oral health.
  • The appointment system worked efficiently to respond to patients’ needs.
  • The frequency of appointments was agreed between the dentist and the patient, giving due regard to National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
  • There was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Staff felt involved, 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 practice had information governance arrangements.

Background

The provider is part of an organisation and has 2 practices, and this report is about Lighthouse Dental Practice - C B Tocca Dental Practice.

Lighthouse Dental Practice - C B Tocca Dental Practice is in Ipswich and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The dental practice is accessed via steps at the front entrance and there is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs at the rear of the building. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available in pay and display car parks near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.

The dental team includes 5 dentists, 6 dental nurses, 3 dental hygienists, 2 treatment coordinators, 1 practice manager and 2 receptionists. The practice is used predominantly for hygienist appointments. Staff work across both this and the providers second location at 27 High Street. Lighthouse Dental Practice - C B Tocca Dental Practice, 34 High Street has 1 functioning treatment room.

During the inspection we spoke with 2 dentists, 3 dental nurses, 1 receptionists and the provider s compliance advisor. We spoke remotely with the practice manager. We looked at practice policies, procedures and other records to assess how the service is managed.

The practice is open: Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm. Saturday by appointment.

We noted innovative approaches to providing person centred care. The practice provides an oral health education service to local schools and clubs.

The practice had taken steps to improve environmental sustainability. For example, reducing printing of documents, turning electricity off when not required and recycling where possible.

During a check to make sure that the improvements required had been made

During our inspection on 3 February 2012 we found that the provider was compliant in all of the outcomes we looked at. However, we had asked for improvements in order for them to maintain their compliance in two of the outcomes; Outcome 1, (Regulation 17) Respecting and involving people who use services, and Outcome 7 (Regulation 11), Safeguarding people who use the services from abuse .

We carried out this desk based follow-up inspection to check that the service had taken the action we had asked for. The provider had sent us an action plan telling what steps they had taken and had provided us with evidence.

We are confident that the provider had taken action to maintain their compliance in both outcome 1 and outcome 7.

3 February 2012

During a routine inspection

During our review we spoke with five people who used the service, one of whom was attending their first appointment. One person told us they were 'Quick with emergency appointments and very good value'. Another said they were 'always treated with care and consideration'. One person told us they had raised a concern but felt it had been appropriately dealt with by the service.

We saw that staff were polite and friendly, explaining how the surgery worked and what they could offer. We also saw that people were given choices about appointments and time to think about their options for treatment.