We spoke with two people who attend Ledbury Dental Care dental practice during our visit to the practice and by telephone to a further five people. We met and spoke with the dentist, practice manager, receptionist and two dental nurses. The people we spoke with were all pleased with the service they received at the practice. One person told us 'It is very good, they have very high standards' and described their dental treatment as 'superior'. One person explained that they were so pleased with their care that they had stayed with the practice although they no longer lived in the United Kingdom.
We asked people whether their dentist gave them clear information about the dental care and treatment they needed and any costs involved in this. People said they had been given this information, and that this included written information about the costs of the treatment they needed.
We also spoke with people about how the team at the practice dealt with them as people and whether their privacy and dignity was respected. People told us that the practice is very friendly and that they like being treated as an individual. One person said 'You definitely get a personal service ' you're not just a number. You get a personal greeting and can build up a rapport'.
People confirmed that the dentists and nurses washed their hands and always wore protective clothing such as disposable aprons and gloves. They said that they were always given protective goggles to wear during their treatment. People were happy with the general cleanliness and hygiene arrangements at the practice. One person told us this aspect of the service was 'excellent'.
We asked some of the people we spoke to whether they felt they would be able to raise a concern if they were not happy. People said this had not happened but did not think this would be a problem. One person had needed to do so and told us that they were happy with how this had been dealt with and would recommend the practice to other people.
The practice needed to improve its knowledge regarding safeguarding arrangements for adults and how to make sure people who lacked capacity were supported correctly when decisions needed to be made. They also needed to make sure they received information about risks from equipment or medication identified at a national level. The practice manager and dentists were receptive to the issues we raised with them and began addressing these areas immediately.
Overall we found that the practice was friendly and that the dentist and their team wanted to provide a good quality, individualised service to people who attended the practice.