At our previous inspection of this service on 21 February 2014 we identified concerns that the provider had not always ensured the necessary pre-employment checks were carried out before staff were employed. This meant patients may have been at risk due to the absence of satisfactory checks.

At this inspection we spoke with the practice manager and a compliance manager from the provider's head office. We also looked at records.

We found that the provider had taken action to carry out the necessary checks and had implemented an updated recruitment policy to protect patients from the potential risks associated with the necessary checks not being carried out.

We spoke with four patients and five members of staff. We reviewed four treatment plans and four electronic patient records. We saw recruitment information relating to seven members of staff.

The patients we spoke with told us that their treatment had been discussed and that they were able to make an informed decision about their treatment. One patient told us: “Everything is always explained to me, including the options, complications and costs. I am asked to sign the consent form.”

All of the patients we spoke with had high regard for the quality of care and kindness displayed by the staff. One patient told us: “The practice is fine and I have no concerns. There’s good customer service and the dentist is brilliant.”

Staff were observed wearing uniforms and other appropriate personal protective equipment. None of the patients we spoke with had any concerns about the cleanliness of the practice.

We found that the provider did not ensure that the necessary pre-employment checks were carried out before staff were employed. These checks included undertaking Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and ascertaining if the member of staff was of good character.

We also saw that a range of audits, risk assessments and checks were carried out to ensure systems and practices were working effectively.