The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

A W Brown Dental Practice

11 Victoria Street, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 7EW (01394) 274936

Provided and run by:
Dr Ishita Poddar

All Inspections

18 May 2023

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced comprehensive inspection on 18 May 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. We noted fridge temperatures where some medicines were stored were not checked.
  • The practice had some systems to manage risks for patients, staff, equipment and the premises. Antimicrobial audits were not undertaken.
  • 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. Not all staff files included records of hepatitis B immunity or all pre-employment checks such as references.
  • 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

A W Brown is in Felixstowe, Suffolk and provides 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 1 dentist, 1 visiting implant specialist, 4 trainee dental nurses, 1 dental hygienist, 1 dental therapist, 1 practice manager and 1 receptionist. The practice has 5 treatment rooms.

During the inspection we spoke with 1 dentist, 2 dental nurses, 1 dental therapist, 1 dental hygienist and 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 8.15 to 5.30pm.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should:

  • Improve the practice's recruitment policy and procedures to ensure accurate, complete and detailed records are maintained for all staff. Take action to ensure that all clinical staff have adequate immunity for vaccine preventable infectious diseases.
  • Implement audits for prescribing of antibiotic medicines taking into account the guidance provided by the College of General Dentistry.
  • Implement an effective system of checks of medical emergency equipment and medicines taking into account the guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK) and the General Dental Council.

5 September 2017

During a routine inspection

We carried out this announced inspection on 5 September 2017 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 provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. A CQC inspector, who was supported by a specialist dental adviser, led the inspection.

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:

Are services safe?

We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

A W Brown Dental Practice is a well-established practice based in Felixstowe. It provides both private and NHS dentistry to patients of all ages. The dental team consists of four dentists, two hygienists, seven dental nurses and a practice manager, who between them support approximately 8000 patients. A specialist visits one a month to provide dental implants. The practice has six treatment rooms and is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursday from 8am to 5.30pm and on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8.30am to 5.30pm.

There is access for wheelchair users at the rear of the building.

The practice is owned by an individual who is the principal dentist there. They have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run.

During the inspection, we spoke with two dentists, two dental nurses and the practice manager. We looked at the practice’s policies and procedures, and other records about how the service was managed. We collected 47 comment cards filled in by patients prior to our inspection and spoke with another three.

Our key findings were:

  • We received many very positive comments from patients about the dental care they received and the staff who delivered it.
  • The practice was clean and well maintained, and had infection control procedures that reflected published guidance.
  • Staff knew how to deal with emergencies, although not all recommended life-saving equipment was available.
  • The practice had systems to help them manage risk.
  • Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered in line with current best practice guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and other published guidance.

  • Members of the dental team were up-to-date with their continuing professional development and were supported to meet the requirements of their professional registration.
  • There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported and valued by the practice manager and owner. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements. They should

  • Review the practice’s protocols for the use of rubber dams for root canal treatment taking into account guidelines issued by the British Endodontic Society.