At the last inspection in January 2014, we found the practice was not meeting the regulation concerned with infection control. We found there was no effective waste storage or disposal system in place. Cleaning equipment was not correctly stored to reduce risk of cross contamination. There was no illuminated magnifying glass in the decontamination area so that staff could check if equipment had been cleaned effectively. There was no risk assessment carried out regarding Legionella. This meant that patients were not effectively protected from the risk of cross infection.

At this inspection we found the practice was following effective systems for infection control. All areas of the practice were clean and well maintained. The practice had completed a risk assessment for the risks associated with Legionella and water testing had been carried out. We found all cleaning equipment was stored safely and effectively in a designated area. The practice had an illuminated magnifying glass in the decontamination room so that staff could check that cleaning of equipment had been effective.

The practice had an appropriate waste storage and disposal system in place that kept patients free from risk of cross infection.

People who use the service had been given information which had enabled and supported them to understand the care and choices available to them.

We spoke with six patients during our inspection visit. They all advised us they fully understood the treatments they had been offered. One patient said “The dentist has restored my faith in dentistry. Before coming here I was terrified of dentists”.

We examined five computerised patient record cards and found these demonstrated evidence of patient involvement in their treatment planning. They indicated that the care and treatment offered promoted oral health through careful monitoring and the delivery of appropriate treatment.

People were partially protected from the risk of infection because some current guidance had been followed. However, the provider had failed to adhere to the service policy relating to the disposal of clinical waste.

A dental nurse demonstrated to us the dental instruments decontamination process and we reviewed the practice protocols relating to best practice guidance. We observed all staff understood essential requirements of Health Technical Memoranda 01-05.This meant staff were working and patients treated in a safe environment.

We found that patient records were kept securely and could be located promptly when needed.

We found the practice to be a modern well appointed and a well maintained general dental practice. The staff are friendly welcoming and informative. The provider has created an atmosphere were team working is promoted. We saw evidence of good communication between staff and patients. We interviewed three patients who reported they were very happy with the treatment they received at the practice. They reported they had been advised of their treatment options and costs and possible outcomes of their treatment. We noted that all the patients we interviewed would recommend the practice to a friend.

We observed the patient journey from arrival to departure from the clinic for two patients. At all times the patients were treated with dignity and respect and communication with the patients was good.

People were protected from the risk of infection because appropriate guidance had been followed. We observed that there were effective systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection.

We talked individually with each member of staff who reported they felt fully supported in their professional lives by the provider.

A sample of five patient records was observed. The clinical entries were completed by the provider herself. Each record contained full and contemporaneous notes which demonstrated the provider was following current best practice in record keeping.