We carried out this inspection to follow up on one area of non-compliance from our previous inspection. We did not speak with people who used the service during this visit. However, we spoke with staff, checked equipment and looked at records relating to safety checks.

At the time of our inspection, we found that the provider had not taken action to address the issues identified following the previous inspection. We found out of date medication, dental products and equipment in the dental practice. There were no temperature checks of the refrigerator used for the storage of medication. Staff were not up to date with their basic life support training.

The provider sent us information following the inspection that supported they had addressed the issues. Medication used for medical emergencies had been replaced. Systems had been introduced to check that medication, dental products and equipment remained in date and safe to use, as well as checking the temperature of the refrigerator. Basic life support training had been arranged for staff.

However, we could not assured be at the time of writing this report that the improvements had been maintained as they had not been in place over a period of time.

At our previous inspection, we identified that the provider was not meeting the expected standards in this outcome area. We set compliance actions, requiring the provider to produce a report setting out how and when changes would be made.

The provider was spending more time in the practice. All the staff we spoke with told us that they were regularly in the practice, which had improved communication and opportunities to discuss any concerns or requests for changes.

We still found that not all the necessary health and safety checks required were in place to ensure the safety of people. The storage of medicines and dental products in the practice did not fully ensure that they were safe to use. We also found prescription slips that were not kept fully secure to reduce the risk of potential misuse.

People continued to be very positive about visiting the dentist. One person we spoke with told us that they had not visited the practice for some time but that all the staff had picked up their anxiety and taken things slowly so they did not panic. They told us, "It was better than expected and had lots of information that I will think about."

This was the first time we had inspected at this practice. We spoke with six people and asked them about their experience of treatment at the practice. We also spoke with three members of staff. People told us that they were supported to be involved in all aspects of their treatment. One person told us, “The dentist explains everything in detail.“ Everyone told us that they would recommend the practice to other people. One person told us, “The dentists are very gentle, but thorough.”

People received care and treatment that was planned to meet their individual needs. Any change in people’s medical and dental health needs was taken into account when planning any treatment. People’s dental records provided a clear record of treatment provided. There was no effective process in place to ensure that people attended for their next check up, in line with the dentist's recommendations.

The practice had procedures in place to provide a clean environment. There were clear procedures to ensure that all dental instruments used were thoroughly cleaned and sterilised between each use.

The provider did not have a fully effective process in place to ensure that standards of care were maintained. The systems to review and monitor individual staff and team performance needed to improve.

The recruitment of staff had not previously always ensured that adequate background checks had been completed. This was already in the process of being addressed at the time of our inspection.