• Dentist
  • Dentist

Singleton Dental Practice

Singleton Centre, Hoxton Close, Ashford, Kent, TN23 5GR (01233) 629516

Provided and run by:
Dr. Robert Banks

All Inspections

During an assessment under our new approach

We carried out this announced on-site inspection on 04 December 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 were 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 Ashford, Kent and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The practice is located on the first floor of the building accessed by a flight of stairs. There are car parking spaces available, including dedicated parking for disabled people, near the practice.

The practice had 3 treatment rooms. At the time of our inspection, there was a total of 12 staff, of which there were 3 dentists, 9 dental nurses, and the practice manager who is also a registered dental nurse. We gathered feedback from staff and spoke to a range of staff during our inspection, including all 3 dentists, 3 dental nurses, and the practice manager.

Two weeks before our inspection, we asked the practice to encourage patients to share their views of the service with us. We received feedback from 6 patients. Patient feedback provided a positive view of the dental team and care provided by the practice.

Comments included,

Patients commented staff were welcoming, polite and made them feel comfortable

Other patients mentioned staff were attentive and engaging

3 comments stated, options were explained to me, made very clear and were detailed

2 comments told us we were made aware and kept updated of a minor delay to our appointment

All 6 patients mentioned how all staff were kind, friendly and professional

Patients commented positively about the standards of cleanliness.

Patients felt able to book appointments within an acceptable timescale for their needs and said they had enough time during their appointment without feeling rushed.

 

Patients told us they were given clear information to help them make an informed choice about their treatment and any associated costs. They were involved in decisions about their care.

 

Patients said when they were prescribed medicines, sufficient information was given.

 

Patients told us that they were supported to maintain their oral health and were provided with appropriate information and resources.

 

The practice shared patient feedback with the team. We were told this was reviewed and where suggestions had been made, appropriate action would be taken.

7 August 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

Our inspection on the 25 February 2014 found that patients had not always been protected from the risks of infection, because the provider had not taken appropriate action to ensure that the risk and spread of infection was minimised at all times.

We asked the provider to take action to address these concerns. They wrote to us confirming that all required actions had been taken to comply with the regulations regarding cleanliness and infection control. A planned follow-up inspection was scheduled to check that the provider had achieved compliance.

At this inspection on the 7 August 2014, we found that the provider was able to demonstrate that they had met the compliance actions set to address the areas of concern identified at our previous inspection.

25 February 2014

During an inspection in response to concerns

At the time of our inspection, we had concerns relating to the cleanliness and infection control procedures at the practice. We spoke with three dental nurses, two dentists and the provider.

The practice had an infection control policy and during our inspection, we observed that clinical staff followed the policy and the related procedures. However, records were not kept of the infection control tasks and cleaning activity undertaken to evidence that staff followed the procedures on a day-to-day basis.

The provider was not always effectively auditing infection control systems and procedures to monitor and check that essential quality requirements were achieved and maintained. There were no records to demonstrate how the provider followed up and acted on issues that had been identified by the audits undertaken and what actions had been taken to address infection control problems when they arose.

We found that not all clinical staff had received specific infection control training during the previous year.

24 January 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with four patients who told us that they were happy with the service provided. Patients told us they were very satisfied with the practice. They said they never had to wait long for appointments, and in an emergency they had always been seen on the same day. One patient said 'I have always been very happy with this dental practice. Our whole family use the services and they are always accommodating'. Another patient said "I would recommend them to anybody and I do'.

Patients said their treatment plans were always explained and discussed with them, including choices about treatment and costs.

Patients said that the practice was always clean, and all the staff were friendly, welcoming and respectful.