We spoke with four patients during our inspection and another three patients over the telephone about their experiences at the practice. We looked at a range of records and spoke with four members of staff, including the provider who is the lead dentist.

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. Recruitment practice was an area, which requires improvement.

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 dentist needs had been met by appropriate treatments. Most patients told us the care and treatment they had received had been effective.

Is the service caring? Patients told us the practice staff were kind and caring. We saw that patients were spoken to in a friendly but respectful manner. Patients told us that staff explained treatment choices to them. Patient privacy and dignity was maintained whilst appointments were underway.

Is the service responsive? Patient who had attended for an emergency appointment told us they were seen promptly by the dentist. The practice had emergency appointment slots available every day.

Is the service well-led? Quality assurance is an area for improvement at this practice. The consistency with which some audits and surveys were undertaken did not ensure that all potential risks to the health and safety of patients were identified. These related to ensuring infection control checks had been carried out and recruitment practices. The practice was small, with informal feedback processes in place. Staff felt well supported and team meetings were used to discuss, learn and improve the service for patients using the practice.

During this visit we spoke with two people who had come to the practice for treatment. One person told us how they considered the dentist to be “fantastic” while the other said they were “very nice”. Both had found that they were always seen on time, and not kept waiting, and this was important to them. They had been delighted to get emergency appointments promptly.

People said the dentist always explained what the problem was, and what they needed to do. They said the dentist always asked about their health and checked at each visit whether there were any changes to their health or the medicines they were taking.

A hygienist worked at the practice each Thursday.

We saw that there was level access through the premises and a toilet suitable for people with mobility problems.