The Care Quality Commission
  • Dentist
  • Dentist

Down Town Dental Practice

19A High Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1BE (01245) 256797

Provided and run by:
Down Town Dental Clinic Limited

All Inspections

During an assessment under our new approach

We carried out this announced on-site inspection on 28 August 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 was 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.

Down Town Dental Practice is in Chelmsford, Essex and provides NHS and private general and orthodontic dental care and treatment for adults and children.

The practice was situated on the first floor so was not accessible to patients who were wheelchair users. Patients with mobility issues were signposted to local practices which were accessible. Car parking spaces including dedicated parking for disabled people, were available near the practice.

The practice had 2 treatment rooms and a consultation room. At the time of our inspection, there was a total of 12 staff, of which there were 1 specialist orthodontist, 2 associate dentists, 3 dental nurses, 2 trainee dental nurses, 2 orthodontic therapists, 1 dental hygienist, and 1 receptionist. A company director for the practice who was an orthodontic specialist and a compliance advisor also attended to support the inspection. We gathered feedback from staff and spoke to a range of staff during our inspection, including the practice owner, the orthodontic specialist, 1 associate dentist, 1 orthodontic therapist, 2 dental nurses, the receptionist and the compliance advisor.

23 October 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We carried out this inspection to check if the provider had complied with two compliance actions from a previous inspection of the service on 10 April 2013. We spoke with the principal dentist and two members of staff and checked records to make a judgement as to whether the provider was meeting regulation 12 and 21 (HSCA 2008 Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010.

During our inspection on 10 April 2013 we found non-compliance with standards relating to cleanliness and infection control. There was no hand washing basin in the decontamination room. This meant the provider was not meeting essential standards of care in accordance with the Department of Health, Health Technical Memorandum 01-05 (HTM01-05). Therefore people could not be sure they were protected from the risk of acquiring a healthcare acquired infection.

At this inspection we found that the dentist had made improvements and is now compliant.

During our inspection on 10 April 2013 we found that effective recruitment and selection processes had not been followed by the provider. During this inspection we found the provider had put in place a system to ensure effective recruitment and selection was adhered to.

10 April 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with three patients. They told us staff were helpful and always treated them respectfully. One patient said: 'They always talk to me and put me at ease.'

We saw the practice had a separate decontamination room and that the relevant guidance for cleaning instruments was followed. However there was no dedicated hand washing sink in this area

We found no evidence that a robust recruitment process was in place and that appropriate pre employment checks had not been carried out.

All of the patients we spoke with were very happy with the practice and did not have any concerns or issues about the care received. We saw evidence that the practice had complaints policies and procedures in place.