During this inspection we spoke with the registered manager (who was also a dentist), a dentist, the senior dental nurse and two dental nurses. One of the dental nurses also carried out receptionist duties at the practice. We also spoke on the telephone with six people who used the practice.

People who used the practice were very complimentary about the care and treatment they, and where applicable their family members received. One person said: “I have every confidence in X (dentist’s name)”. People told us they were given information about their treatment and the dentist: “Explains all that is going on with my teeth”. There was medication and oxygen available for medical emergencies and staff were trained to know what to do if a person became unwell at the practice.

The practice was clean and people we spoke with confirmed that this was their experience too. There were suitable arrangements for the cleaning, sterilising and storing of instruments so that people were not placed at risk of infection.

Staff had not been recruited in an appropriate way. We found that thorough checks had not been undertaken before staff started work at the practice to ensure they were suitable to provide care for people.

The provider had systems of audits in place to enable them to monitor the quality of the service provided. This made sure that people received appropriate care and treatment. People were asked for their views about the practice and these were listened to and acted upon.