- Dentist
Amsel & Wilkins
Assessment report published 9 July 2026
Contents
Judgements
Our view of the service
We carried out this announced on-site inspection on Monday 1 June 2026.
We found the practice had not met all regulations.
The practice had systems to identify and manage risks, including infection prevention and control. However, these were not consistently effective, and not all risks had been suitably identified, assessed and mitigated.
Recruitment procedures reflected current legislation but were not always being followed.
Staff training was not up-to-date or reviewed at regular intervals.
The practice is in Banbury and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
The practice had 9 treatment rooms. At the time of our inspection, there was a total of 16 staff, of which there were 4 dentists, 7 dental nurses, 1 dental therapist, 1 dental hygienist, 1 receptionist, the finance manager and the practice manager. We gathered feedback from staff and spoke to a range of staff during our inspection, including 3 dentists, 4 dental nurses, the dental therapist, the receptionist, and the practice manager.
The service provides cosmetic treatments, some of which are not in scope of CQC regulation and are not covered in our inspection.
The provider was not complying with Regulation 17 Good governance.
Full details of the regulation the provider was not meeting are within the inspection report.
We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this 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 received feedback from 22 patients. On the day of our inspection, we spoke with and saw patient feedback from a further 24 patients. Patient feedback provided a positive view of the dental team and care provided by the practice.
Comments included, “I have always had good care from Amsel and Wilkins” and “Amsel and Wilkins is a practice I trust completely and would not hesitate to recommend to others.”
Patients commented positively about the standards of cleanliness. “The environment is clean, calm, and very well maintained, which immediately instils confidence.”
Patients felt able to book appointments within an acceptable timescale for their needs and said they had enough time during their appointment without feeling rushed. “Rang dentist at 08:00 and was given emergency appointment that day."
Patients told us they were given clear information to help them make an informed choice about their treatment and any associated costs. They were involved in decisions about their care. “They are consistently professional, knowledgeable and attentive, taking the time to ensure everything is clearly explained and that you feel comfortable throughout.”
Patients said when they were prescribed medicines, sufficient information was given.
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.
Six patients told us they did not know how to get emergency dental treatment when the practice was closed.
Four patients told us they did know how to complain if they had an issue.