• Dentist
  • Dentist

Barnstaple Dental Access Centre

Barnstaple Health Centre, Vicarage Street, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32 7BH (01392) 822343

Provided and run by:
Access Dental Ltd

All Inspections

2 March 2014

During a routine inspection

We carried out a routine inspection of Barnstaple Dental Access Centre on 2 March 2014. This was done out of hours because the emergency service runs every Sunday and on Bank Holidays. A specialist dental advisor accompanied us on this visit. We looked at the records of four patients and spoke with them at length during their appointment. We spoke over the phone with another two patients and a carer for a child after their appointment. We spoke with five staff in total, which included a receptionist, dentist, dental nurse and two managers.

We asked NHS England (Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly) for their comments because they have a monitoring role in the commissioning of NHS dental care at this practice. NHS England reported there were no concerns with this practice.

Patients made positive comments about their experience of emergency treatment at the dental practice. We were told the practice was very responsive when patients had contacted the emergency helpline. For example, a carer of a child who had been in considerable pain said 'We were very impressed with the service. They took down all the information about the pain she was having and then explained the options to us. An appointment was set up for the following day; it was very well organised and we got a reminder the next day about the appointment time.' A friend accompanying a patient told us they had also used the service and described it as being 'Brilliant'. The patients we spoke with described the staff they met at their appointment as being 'Friendly', 'Reassuring' and were 'Very caring'.

We followed four patient's appointments from start to finish and all said they had been comfortable and overall satisfied with the experience.

The practice had systems in place which meant patients were safe and well cared for. Patients described the environment as being 'spotless' and 'bright and airy'. We saw decontamination and cleaning procedures followed national guidelines, which meant equipment was safe to use on patients.

The provider was compliant with all five outcomes we looked at.