Hilden House Dental Practice

Updated 3 December 2025

We carried out this announced on-site inspection on 9 April 2026.

We found the practice had not met all regulations.

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

The practice had systems in place to identify and manage risks, including infection prevention and control, although were not always consistently followed.

Recruitment procedures reflected current legislation.

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 had not implemented systems to assess, monitor and manage risks to patient and staff safety. In particular, the management of Legionella, fire safety and NHS prescriptions.

Although there are issues to be addressed, the impact of our concerns relates to the governance and the oversight of the risks, rather than a patient safety risk.

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

There was step-free access to the practice and car parking spaces available.

The practice had 1 treatment room. At the time of our inspection, there was a total of 3 staff, of which there was 1 dentist, 1 dental nurse and 1 receptionist. We gathered feedback from all members of the team.

The provider was not complying with 1 regulation, Regulation 17 Good governance.

Full details of the regulation the provider was not meeting are within the inspection report.

We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this inspection.

Updated 3 December 2025

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 31 patients. On the day of our inspection, we spoke with and saw patient feedback from a further 4 patients. Patient feedback provided a positive view of the dental team and care provided by the practice.

Comments included ‘Mr Patel and his team are professional and friendly’, ‘Excellent care and fantastic dentist’, ‘An extremely friendly, and welcoming team’ and ‘They are extremely helpful and attentive, always striving to do the best to ensure our dental needs are attended to with the upmost professionalism’.

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.

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.