Caterham Dental Care is a general dental practice in Caterham offering both NHS and private treatment. The practice treats adults and children.

The premises (which had recently undergone expansion and development) consist of a separate waiting area adjacent to the reception area and four treatment rooms. There is also a separate decontamination room

The staff structure of the practice consists of the provider (a dentist), three further dentists, a practice manager (who is also a qualified dentist), a receptionist and three dental nurses. The practice has the services of a part time dental hygienist who carries out preventative advice and treatment.

Our key findings were:

• There were effective systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. We found all treatment rooms and equipment appeared very clean.

• There were systems in place to check all equipment had been serviced regularly, including the suction compressor, autoclave, fire extinguishers, oxygen cylinder and the X-ray equipment.

• We found the dentists regularly assessed each patient’s gum health and took X-rays at appropriate intervals.

• The practice had a comprehensive training programme which ensured staff maintained the necessary skills and competence to support the needs of patients.

• The practice kept up to date with current guidelines and research and was led by a proactive and forward thinking management team.

• At our visit we observed staff were kind, caring, competent and put patients at their ease.

• We spoke with one patient on the day of our inspection and reviewed 13 comment cards that had been completed by patients. Common themes were patients felt they were listened to and received very good care in a clean environment from a helpful and patient practice team.

We spoke with 5 people who had received dental treatment in the week leading up to our visit. All of the people we spoke with told us they were very satisfied with the service they received. They told us they had confidence in the staff that treated them. If it was necessary they were referred for more specialist treatment in a timely manner. One person said, “I have never felt any discomfort whilst receiving treatment, despite having some extensive work done. I have been impressed by the quality of the service offered to me and the attitude of everyone who works there”

Most people told us that they did not have to wait long for appointments. They told us that emergency treatment was arranged very quickly and if it was necessary, issues of concern were often dealt with on the same day.

People told us that they received thorough examinations and any proposed treatment and subsequent costs were clearly explained and agreed with them before work started. They said that reception and administrative staff were friendly, polite and accommodating. All those spoken with said the premises were kept clean and the environment had been recently improved and updated.