1 March 2012
During a routine inspection
The people we spoke with told us the staff were friendly and treated them with respect and their privacy was maintained. All the people we spoke with had been coming to this practice for a long time and also brought their children to the practice. One parent gave us a good example of how the dentists ensured that communication was age-appropriate and how they encouraged children and young people with good dental habits and hygiene.
Two people we spoke with told us all the staff were aware of people's anxieties when visiting the dentist and did their best to alleviate them. All six people we spoke with felt confident and comfortable with the practice staff.
People told us they could get appointments at times that suited them. They told us they were aware of the emergency number and had always had an appointment within 24 hours.
The practice had disabled access, although there was one small step into the surgery, which we were told had not proved to be a barrier. Once in the surgery there were facilities on the ground floor to provide all the services offered by the practice.
People were protected from abuse by staff who had received regular training and demonstrated good awareness of this subject. Staff had also received training in protecting children and young people and recognising signs of abuse through oral examination.