We undertook a follow up inspection to Archway Dental Surgery on the 30 April 2013 to see what action the registered provider had taken to become compliant. We did not speak to people who used the service during this inspection.

We found that since our last inspection the registered provider had reviewed the practice’s recruitment policy and this now ensured that an effective recruitment process was being operated at the practice.

We found that an audit of staff personnel files had been completed and all required documentation was in place. We found staff personnel files were well organised and information was easy to locate.

We found that the registered provider was now ensuring that people who used the service had their health and welfare needs met by staff who were fit and appropriately qualified to undertake their work.

We visited the surgery and spoke with the head of clinical governance, the deputy practice manager for the practice, the director of business development, four dental nurses and a trainee dental nurse. We spoke with three patients and looked at a selection of patient records.

We found that patients were asked to sign a consent to treatment form at the start of their treatment. One patient told us: “I’m happy with the treatment; the dentist explains everything to me and answers all my questions. I’ve had really good treatment”.

Patients told us that dentists advised them on how to maintain good oral hygiene.

We found that treatment was provided in a modern, clean and hygienic environment. Patients told us the practice was always clean and tidy including patient waiting areas and treatment areas.

We were concerned to find that the registered provider had not taken sufficient pre employment checks to ensure that all staff were safe and suitably qualified to work with people who used the service.

One patient said of staff employed at the practice including reception staff: “They are absolutely wonderful. They go the extra mile to sort you out an appointment”.

The provider had an effective system to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that patients received.