This visit was a follow up inspection to check if the practice was now compliant. Following the last inspection, the provider had sent us an action plan detailing how they were the going to address the concerns we raised. During this inspection we found the action plan had been put in place.

We spoke with three patients and three members of staff. Patients said they had no concerns over the cleanliness of the practice. Comments included “It’s very clean” and “I have found the practice is clean, fresh and welcoming.” A member of staff we spoke with told us “Since the last inspection a real effort has been made to ensure the practice is clean and hygienic and we can see the difference now.” We found there were effective systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection.

We reviewed three recruitment personnel files and saw correct checks had been performed by the service prior to staff commencing work. We found there were effective recruitment and selection processes in place and appropriate checks had been completed.

We found the broken drawer lock had been replaced. Information such as written medical histories, referral letters and consent forms and treatment estimate costs were now kept in paper files in a lockable filing cabinet. This meant patient’s records were kept securely and could be located promptly when needed

We spoke with four patients who used the service. Patients told us they received care which was personalised and met their individual needs. Patients described the care they received from staff as "good" and "fantastic." We found patients were involved in their decisions about care and support. Patients privacy and dignity was respected. One person told us "I have always found the staff respectful and the Dentists always ensures I am involved in my treatment."

Patients told us they trusted the Dentists at the practice. They said they knew that the care and treatment would be provided effectively by competent professional practitioners that knew their individual needs well.

We found patients were not fully protected from the risk of infection because appropriate guidance had not been followed. Areas of the practice were not clean and hygienic. The provider was unable to demonstrate that sufficient recruitment checks had taken; place putting patients at risk of receiving a service from staff who were not suitably vetted.

People were made aware of the complaints system. Patients we spoke with did not express any concern about the care and treatment they received from the dental practice. They told us if they had a concern they would immediately speak to the reception staff or the principal dentist.

We found patient records were not kept safely and securely and this did not promote patient confidentiality.