We carried out a comprehensive inspection of Church Street Dental Practice on 23 January 2015.

The practice offers a range of both NHS and private services for its patient population. Church Street Dental Practice has two dentists, a practice manager, a practice support manager and supporting dental nursing and administration staff.

The practice manager is legally responsible for making sure the practice meets CQC requirements as the registered manager.

We spoke with three patients who used the service on the day of our inspection and reviewed 36 completed CQC comment cards. The patients we spoke with were complimentary about the service. Patients told us that they found the staff to be extremely person-centred and felt they were treated with respect. The comments on the cards provided by CQC were also complimentary about the staff and the service provided.

During the inspection we toured the premises and spoke with both dentists and a further four staff. We also spoke with a practice manager from a neighbouring practice who was covering for the absence of the registered manager. To assess the quality of care provided by the practice, we looked at practice policies and protocols and other records.

Our key findings were as follows:

• Staff reported incidents and learning took place. The practice had enough staff to deliver the service. The premises were clean and there was enough equipment available for staff to undertake their duties.

• Patient’s needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered in line with current guidance. This included the promotion of good oral health. Staff had received training appropriate to their roles and further training needs were identified and planned.

• Patients were treated with kindness and respect by staff. Communication with them and their families, and access to the service and to the dentists was reported as good.

• The practice took into account any comments, concerns or complaints to improve the practice. Patients reported good access to the practice with emergency appointments available on the same day.
• The practice had an accessible and visible management team. Quality was high on the practice agenda. Staff felt supported and all reported that patients were at the heart of the practice. This included the promotion of good oral health. Staff had received training appropriate to their roles. The practice had an effective appraisal system in place for all staff.