Bovey Dental Practice was last inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in August 2012. Improvements were required relating to the security and accessibility of some records. Improvements were also required to the environment, with regard to infection control.

During our follow up inspection we found that the practice was now meeting the required standards. Records were stored securely and were located promptly. Some improvements had been completed to the environment and others were underway.

This inspection was a follow up to check specific improvements had been made. Although we did not speak directly with patients on this visit we observed that, as on our previous inspection, people were treated with kindness, courtesy and respect.

We carried out this inspection visit on 03 August 2012.

The majority of people who used this service are treated privately. We were told by staff that approximately between five and ten percent of people who used this service received NHS treatment.

We spoke with five people who used the service. We also spent time observing one treatment. All the people we spoke with were very positive about the care they received. One person told us, “I am very happy with the service; it could not be better, I have been coming here for 10 years”. Another person told us “I have got an emergency appointment today, I called at half past eight and am being seen at 12.30, so I am very happy. It would have ruined my holiday otherwise.”

We asked people about their involvement in decisions about treatment. People said the dentist always explained treatments to them clearly and also the options open to them. People also told us that the dentist checked whether anything had changed with their medical history since their last visit.

All the people we spoke with said that staff at the dental surgery were respectful and friendly. We spoke with all three staff who were working on the day of our visit. Two part time dental hygienists were not working on the day of our inspection.