On our last visit to Ocean Dental on 01 November 2012 we found that patients who used the service were at risk of not being kept safe because there were significant gaps in the practice safeguarding policies and procedures and staff had not received any training in relation to safeguarding. We asked the provider to take action to address this concern.

On our visit on 8 July 2013 we saw that the policies and procedures had been updated with the correct information and that the majority of staff had now received the required training. The small number of staff who had not as yet completed this training were booked onto the next available course.

We spoke with patients who told us they were given good information about their treatments and costs. One person who attended for an emergency appointment via the NHS system told us that he did not like going to the dentist. The patient told us that the dentist had explained everything to him in a clear and understandable way, and said, “Probably the best explanation I have had”.

One patient who had been with the practice for approximately ten years told us they were very satisfied with their treatment and it was important for them to visit an NHS dentist. The patients we spoke with told us that they had never made a complaint and that they were more than satisfied with the service provided.

Patients told us they felt they had been involved in their treatment and the dentist explained to them what he was doing and any future treatment they needed.

Staff told us that they enjoyed working there and felt it was a good place to work. They said they had a close working relationship and felt supported by the practice dentist.