This was the practice’s first inspection since dental services were required to register with the Care Quality Commission. We found patients received effective care and treatment which responded to their needs. The practices of the professionals involved were safe and the service was well led by the registered manager.

The practice provided dental services to NHS and private patients. During our inspection we spoke with eight patients about their experiences of using the service; these patients made very positive comments about the practice and the dental care they received. One person told us, “I’ve been coming here for years; it’s a really good efficient service”. Whilst another person told us, “The staff are friendly and helpful here”. Comments written by patients in the practices NHS Choices website had both positive and negative views; in all cases the provider had responded to the comments offering thanks or further contact.

We saw how patients received their examinations in private and were greeted by staff in a friendly and cheerful manner. We asked patients how they were involved in their treatment planning and whether they were informed about what the treatment might involve. Patients told us how the dentists discussed their treatment with them and how they provided information which enabled them to make decisions about their treatment.

We looked at the consultation rooms and other areas of the practice and were satisfied patients 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 recommended by the Department of Health. We met and spoke with all the staff working in the practice that day and checked the records of five staff members 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 patient’s information was correct when they arrived for appointments and dentists’ updated patient records on their computer record systems after each consultation. This ensured patient records were current.