Following an inspection visit on 11 November 2013 the provider was asked to make some improvements in the arrangements in place to provide information to people for whom English was not their first language, infection control, recruitment and staff training and support. We visited Family Dental Practice on 15 May following the submission of the providers action plan and found that significant improvements had been made.

During the inspection we spoke with three people who used the service and three staff members.

Three people who attended the Family Dental Practice told us that they were given appropriate information and support regarding their care and treatment. We saw that this included literature provided in several languages other than English and that translation services were available to non-English speaking patients on request.

We saw that patient’s notes, treatment plans and records of their medical and dental history contained clear and relevant information.

We saw there were effective processes in place for cleaning, decontaminating and sterilising instruments.

We found that the provider had implemented an effective recruitment and selection procedure and included relevant checks on applicants.

Staff told us that they received appropriate professional development and training to help them to do their job safely. We saw records which verified that staff received continuous professional development training.

We spoke with two patients who had received treatment at the practice on the day of our inspection. Both patients said they were satisfied with the dental treatment they had received. One patient said “They are great here and explain everything to me.” Another patient told us they had recommended the practice to members of their family because they thought the staff were welcoming and the treatment they received was good.

The practice was owned by the sole dentist providing care. Two further members of staff were employed, one being a dental nurse and the other a receptionist. As the practice was small, people were always seen by the same staff team. One of the patients we spoke with told us they valued seeing the same staff members at every visit and that the staff team were always helpful.

We found the practice to have satisfactory standards of infection control. However, some minor improvements were required. We found the practice did not have adequate recruitment procedures and checks for the employment of staff. Staff accessed training courses but there was no formal induction, supervision and appraisal system to support them to undertake their role effectively. Systems were in place for gathering, recording and evaluating information about the service to ensure patients received safe effective care, support and treatment.