The practice was clean and well maintained with good procedures in place to prevent cross infection. We saw staff at the practice were properly trained, worked to a professional code of conduct and kept their skills updated. Staff told us they felt very supported. One of the dental nurses told us she felt the practice was very good at supporting staff with their work and career development. She said, "We are given time each week to make sure we can keep our training up to date."

We watched how the staff dealt with people as they arrived. We saw staff were very polite, putting people at their ease. We saw there were safeguarding procedures in place. We saw there was on-going training and support for staff to help keep them up-to-date with best practice. One of the staff told us they felt 'well trained and confident' they would be able to respond appropriately if they suspected or witnessed abuse.

We found that records were being maintained.

We spoke with six people who used the service. People said that they were very happy and that they saw the dentist on a regular basis. They confirmed the dentist and dental nurses always explained what they were doing and what the treatment options were. They told us that staff were approachable and that they felt able to ask the dentist questions or make comments about their treatment. One person we spoke with said, “I have been coming here since I was a child, its good.” Another person said, “The dentist is absolutely brilliant.”

We found that people had their privacy and dignity respected.

We found that people were not protected from the risk of infection because processes were not followed to ensure care was delivered in a clean and hygienic environment.

People told us that they felt comfortable in raising a concern or complaint with staff working at the practice.

We found that records were not always maintained.