Updated 18 December 2023
We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 2 November 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
Bridge House Dental Practice is in Ipswich Suffolk and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There is step free access to the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, are available near the practice. The practice has made reasonable adjustments to support patients with access requirements.
The dental team includes 10 dentists, 10 dental nurses including 1 trainee dental nurse, 2 dental hygienists, 1 practice manager and 2 receptionists. The practice has 8 treatment rooms.
During the inspection we spoke with 3 dentists including the principal dental surgeon, 4 dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist and 2 receptionists. 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 5pm, Saturday by appointment only.
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. The practice was in the process of redeveloping the premises. Each treatment room was standardised and set up to provide effective and efficient four handed dentistry (a dentist and a dental nurse sitting on either side of the chair, working in unison to save time) and had undergone a total refit which included many advanced infection prevention systems and appliances. We noted recycling arrangements were set up in each treatment room. Treatment rooms were each fitted with fibre optics and compact central silent suction. This had the benefit of not only reducing noise pollution within the treatment rooms, but also improving effective cleaning in treatment rooms and a reduced chemical footprint. 2 ground floor treatment rooms were fitted with knee break dental chairs for easy transfer of patients from wheelchairs.