We spoke with three patients during our inspection. We looked at patient survey results. We spoke with one member of staff who worked at the practice, plus one dentist who was also the provider.

We asked five key questions:

Is the service safe? All the patients we spoke with told us they felt safe. Processes were in place to learn from accidents, emergencies, and complaints to reduce risks to patients.

Is the service effective? Patients told us they were given treatment choices and felt involved in their treatment. All of the patients we spoke with told us that their dental needs had been met by appropriate treatments. This indicated that the care and treatment they had received had been effective.

Is the service caring? Patients told us the staff at the practice were caring. We saw that patients were spoken to in a friendly but respectful manner. Patients told us that staff at this practice were caring and explained treatment choices to them.

Is the service responsive? We spoke with a patient who had attended for an emergency appointment. They told us they were very pleased to be seen very promptly by the dentist. Emergency appointment slots were made available daily.

Is the service well-led? Good leadership at the practice was evidenced by the quality assurance systems in place. The practice was small and processes and systems were in place but were informal. Staff meetings took place and staff told us they felt supported.

People who visited Park House Dental Practice told us that friends and families had recommended the practice to them. One person we spoke with told us; “I heard really positive things about the practice, I knew if I came here I would only see one dentist, it’s good to have continuity of care”. Another person said when talking about the dentist and dental nurse; “lovely, very approachable and kind”. They also said; “I don’t mind coming here when comparing this practice to other dental practices I have been to”.

During our visit people told us that their treatment was explained to them clearly and they were involved in the decision making process for their treatment options. One person told us that they had received root canal treatment. They said the dentist had talked through what would happen, why they needed it, if there was any other alternative. The person said the dentist was very approachable and they felt able to ask any questions about their treatment. Another person told us they had been asked what type of filling they would like have fitted.

During our visit we spoke with five people who used the service. They all told us that they found it easy to book appointments for routine treatment and would be seen within a reasonable amount of time. We spoke with a parent whose child had been bought in for an emergency appointment. They told us they had called in the morning and were being seen the same day.