We looked at how people understood the care and treatment and support choices available to them and how their views regarding treatment were sought. The practice had an information leaflet which was sent to people when they first joined the practice and was available in the reception area. This leaflet outlined what people should expect on their first visit to the surgery and who the dental team were. The practice sought the views of people in a survey. Respondents in the patient survey confirmed that staff, “Fully explained what will happen during the appointment.”

During the inspection we saw and heard polite and courteous staff who spoke to people in a very pleasant and welcoming manner. The dentist confirmed to us that they checked changes to medical histories at the beginning of each treatment session. Any changes were recorded on the treatment records. The practice had appropriate equipment to support people in the event of a medical emergency.

We saw that staff had received annual training in life support and medical emergencies. In the patient satisfaction survey one person wrote, “Always provides an excellent service, cannot fault it at all.” All respondents confirmed that they received the quality treatment they expected. We found that the practice was staffed by sufficient numbers of appropriately trained staff.

We found that the practice had plans to introduce a formal audit system in place which enabled them to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people received. People were asked for their views about their care and treatment on an on-going informal basis. If people had any concerns or complaints we were told that this was acted upon immediately. The practice manager confirmed they had received no complaints in the last 12 months.