Patients spoke highly of the service and the dental staff. They confirmed that the dentist always explained what they were doing, what they had found during examination and what the treatment options were including risks and benefits. Patients told us:

“I am so pleased with the treatment here”,

“He (the dentist) explains everything, is so caring and very sensitive “.

We saw that records of health assessments, care and treatment plans were up to date and accurate. Health assessments were recorded and reviewed six monthly. Care and treatment plans were seen and written information was given to the patient in respect of treatment plans and costing. There were sufficient, suitably skilled and qualified staff available to care for patients.

The practice was compliant with the essential quality requirements of Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices (HTM01-05). We looked at the infection control and decontamination policies and procedures and the dentist demonstrated the decontamination process for re useable instruments. Contracts were in place and up to date for clinical waste disposal, maintenance of sterilisation equipment and radiological safety.

We spoke with people who use the service. They were very happy with the care and treatment provided. When asked what they thought of the service patients responded “Excellent”, “They do everything well”, “Excellent they are polite, very helpful and accommodating”.

They told us they were able to access services easily, they were very accommodating and waiting times were minimal. They said because the practice was not too busy the staff had plenty of time to give to the patients, the atmosphere was calm and not rushed. They said they were put at ease by the skill and experience demonstrated by the staff. They confirmed the dentist always explained what they were doing, what they had found during examination and treatment options. Patients said they were given plenty of good understandable information and everything was clearly explained.

They commented that the practice appeared very clean. They told us staff always wore protective equipment such as protective eye wear eye and gloves. Patients were also asked to wear protective eye wear and aprons. We were told: “The cleanliness is very good”, “The surgery always looks clean”.