• Dentist
  • Dentist

York Place Dental

37 Upperby Road, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA2 4HZ (01228) 533431

Provided and run by:
Dr. Richard Hellen

All Inspections

During an assessment under our new approach

We carried out this announced on-site inspection on 7 November 2025.

We found the practice had met regulations.

The practice had effective systems to identify and manage risks, including infection prevention and control.

Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles.

Recruitment procedures reflected current legislation and there was effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.

Staff provided care and treatment in line with current guidance. They treated patients with dignity and respect and ensured access to care, support, and treatment when required.

The practice is in Carlisle and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

There was step-free access to the practice and car parking spaces available, including dedicated parking for disabled people, near the practice.

The practice had 4 treatment rooms. At the time of our inspection, there was a total of 21 staff, of which there were 4 dentists, 8 dental nurses, 2 dental therapists, 1 dental hygienist, 3 receptionists, 3 treatment coordinators, 1 administrator and the practice manager. We gathered feedback from staff and spoke to a range of staff during our inspection, including 1 dentist, 2 dental nurses, 1 dental therapist, 2 receptionists and the practice manager.

The service provides cosmetic treatments, some of which are not in scope of CQC regulation and are not covered in our inspection.

12 January 2016

During a routine inspection

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 12 January 2016 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

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

The practice offers private primary care dentistry to adult patients and children are treated under the NHS.

The practice is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8.45am to 5.30pm. On a Wednesday the practice is open from 9am to 8.00pm. The practice closes at 5pm on a Friday.

There are two dentists, four dental nurses, one trainee dental nurse, three dental hygienist/ therapists, two receptionists and a business manager supported by a practice coordinator.

The principal dentist is the registered person for the practice. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

We received feedback from patients about the service via seven Care Quality Commission (CQC) comment cards. All the comments were positive about the staff and the services provided. Comments included: staff are helpful, understanding and provide a great service.

Our key findings were:

  • There was an effective complaints system.
  • Staff had received safeguarding training, knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report it.
  • There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
  • Staff had been trained to manage medical emergencies.
  • Infection control procedures were in accordance with the published guidelines.
  • Patient care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines and current regulations.
  • Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
  • Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
  • Patients could access routine treatment and urgent care when required.
  • The practice was well-led, staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
  • The governance systems were effective.
  • The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.

21 November 2012

During a routine inspection

We were not able to talk to any people who use the service on the day we visited but the practice undertook patient satisfaction surveys on a regular basis. The specific comments in this report have come from the most recent patient surveys. These included, "I was very nervous and liked the way my treatment was explained to me", and "Nothing could have been done better and I was very happy with the service".

We found that the service was very well run with policies and procedures in place to ensure people who used the service were kept well informed about the treatment that was available to them.

Staff were trained and supported by the management team to provide a high level of service to people who used this dental practice.