30 April 2014
During a routine inspection
All of the patients we contacted were very happy with the dental treatment they received. One patient told us 'the service has been more than satisfactory'. Another patient said 'I have no word of complaint. It's a friendly, family service'.
We saw that detailed initial assessments were carried out and patients received a letter outlining treatment options and costs. Patients told us they were not pressurised to take up treatment. Patients we spoke with who were undergoing treatment said they had been provided with plenty of advice and information and knew what their treatment plan was.
Patients we spoke with told us the practice was always clean and tidy, one said 'it's scrupulously clean'. The practice operated processes, and followed procedures, that minimised the risk and spread of infection because current guidelines were followed. Patients told us that staff always wore gloves and masks when providing treatment. A patient said 'I always wear my protective glasses too'.
We saw that the provider had an effective recruitment process and had ensured the dental nurse had the right skills, knowledge and experience for the role and was physically fit to work.
The practice was in the process of developing systems to seek and act on patient feedback and carried out audits to monitor clinical quality.