- Dentist
The Crossgate Centre
Assessment report published 22 December 2025
Contents
Judgements
Our view of the service
We carried out this announced off-site inspection on 5 December 2025.
Where we carry out an off-site assessment, we undertake a detailed review of the practice risk assessments, policies, staff records and other relevant documents. We gather feedback from patients, staff and stakeholders (where relevant). We carry out a remote visual assessment of the premises and have discussions with staff.
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.
The Crossgate Centre is part of Portman Dentex, a dental group provider. The practice is in Durham and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
There was ramped access to the practice and car parking spaces available, including dedicated parking for disabled people, near the practice.
The practice had 6 treatment rooms. At the time of our inspection, there was a total of 17 staff. We gathered feedback from staff and spoke to a range of staff during our inspection, including 1 dentist, 2 dental nurses, and the practice manager. One of the group’s Safety and Quality Specialists was at the practice supporting the team.
The service provides cosmetic treatments, some of which are not in scope of CQC regulation and are not covered in our inspection.
People's experience of this service
Two weeks before our inspection, we asked the practice to encourage patients to share their views of the service with us. We did not receive any direct patient feedback.
From internal patient feedback collected, we saw the overall scores had improved since last year and the feedback provided a positive view of the dental team and care provided by the practice.
Comments included “Very good care, my experience has been friendly and professional; non-judgemental. If you are worried about how bad your teeth are, and that you will be judged, you won't. You will be talked to straightly and given options. It won't be cheap, but they do have finance options; they could explain that better, but then, they don't push you or make you feel like they are selling. So, ask about this. I saved up first”, “Cannot recommend enough. The dentist really put me at ease, as a nervous neurodivergent patient it’s not easy to tolerate the whole experience but I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this practice”, “I have been with the practice for many years now and have always found everyone to be welcoming and friendly. They put you at ease and the service I have had has always been exemplary. Thank you”, “I'm a very nervous patient the receptionist and the dentist were great, and I felt very well looked after despite being a nervous wreck. I had two fillings done and even though I was terrified the staff were amazing and made the whole thing as easy for me as possible can't recommend them highly enough.”
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.