This was the practice’s first inspection since dental services were required to register with the Care Quality Commission. We were supported during the inspection by a specialist advisor for dentistry to provide observation and analysis of the treatment received by patients as the practice provided specialist dental services.

The practice provided dental services to private patients. During our inspection we spoke with five patients about their experiences of using the service; these people made very positive comments about the practice and the dental care they received. One person told us, “I’ve been coming here for many years, I couldn’t ask for a better service.” Whilst another person told us, “I’m always given excellent information about my treatment. I can access emergency treatment when I need it; what more do I want?” Comments written by patients in the practices comments and suggestion book were equally positive, for example, “What a lovely practice, you inspired my confidence”.

We saw how the practice placed the patient at the centre of their work. Patients received their examinations in private and were greeted by staff in a friendly and personable manner. We asked people how they were involved in their treatment planning and whether they were informed about what the treatment might involve. People told us how the dentists involved them at all times and how they provided information which enabled them to make decisions and choices about their treatment.

We looked at the consultation rooms and other areas of the practice and were satisfied people received safe and effective treatment in a clean and well organised environment. Processes were in place to ensure hygiene standards were maintained to the standards described by the Department of Health. We met and spoke with all the staff working in the practice during our inspection and checked their records to ensure robust recruitment took place.

We found patient records were detailed and were up to date and reflected the treatment received that day. We looked at records relating to the management of the practice and saw these were detailed, current and up to date. The receptionists checked people’s information was correct when they arrived for appointments and dentists’ updated people’s records on their computer record systems after each consultation ensuring patient records were current.