At the last inspection in February 2014 we found that minor improvements were required to the infection prevention and control process. The provider had sent us an action plan detailing the steps taken to ensure the process was robust. This visit to the practice was announced. This was to ensure we had the opportunity to speak to the provider and review the improvements identified in the action plan.

We visited the practice with a specialist advisor who had experience in infection prevention and control. We found that there was appropriate infection control policies available which supported the systems and process in place at the practice.

We carried out this inspection to check on the treatment of people. Following the inspection we conducted telephone interviews with three people. On the day of the inspection we reviewed five people's treatment records and spoke with the dentist, the receptionist and the dental nurse who was also the provider.

The practice consisted of a reception/waiting area, one treatment room and a toilet all on the ground floor. There was a decontamination room on the first floor. The practice was able to support people with mobility issues into the practice due to its ground floor entrance off the street which met with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

Records showed that treatment was only given once people had given consent.

People told us that they were involved in the decision making process for their treatment. One person said, "The treatment I experienced was better than I expected. Staff were very friendly and explained everything".

We found that instruments were not always visually clean. This meant that people could potentially be at risk of cross infection from contaminated instruments.

The provider had systems in place to ensure only suitable staff were employed. One person said, "I feel safe with this dentist".

The provider had a suitable complaints process in place so people were able to share any concerns they had about the service they received.