During our visit to St Helens Dental Practice we met with the provider, Dr Peter Sands. We spoke with three members of staff. We spoke with four patients and looked at four patient records.

All of the patients we spoke with were very happy with the dental treatment they received. One patient told us “I have complete and utter faith. I would recommend it [the practice] to anyone”. Another patient said “I think he [the dentist] is good at what he does. I trust him”. Patients told us they were involved in making decisions about their treatment. We looked at patient records which confirmed the treatment patients said they had received.

Patients we spoke with told us the practice was always clean and tidy. One patient said “they’re working in an old building, given that, I’m quite impressed”. The practice mostly operated processes, and followed procedures, that minimised the risk and spread of infection. However the practice had not minimised the risk to patients from waterborne bacteria.

Staff told us they were supported to carry out their roles. We saw that staff received training specific to their job and that they received regular supervision.

The practice had systems in place to seek and act on patient feedback. The practice participated in research to improve clinical outcomes for patients.

People spoken with by telephone told us they had been registered with the practice for many years and were entirely happy with the services provided. People said they were fully informed about their treatment options and the costs involved. They said they felt they could ask any questions and they would be answered in detail. They said staff were friendly and approachable and always treated them with dignity and respect.