We inspected this service in January 2013 and found the registered person was not compliant in areas relating to recruitment and infection control. We issued two compliance actions, which meant improvements were required in these areas. We carried out this inspection to check the improvements had been made. The inspection was unannounced, which meant the registered person and the staff did not know we were coming.

On the day of our inspection the dentist was closed to people using the service. Three staff were available for us to speak with.

We looked at the cleanliness of the environment to ensure infection control standards were appropriate. Infection control procedures were in place to ensure equipment was sterilised to a suitable standard and safe to use.

We saw recruitment records demonstrated there were systems in place to ensure the staff were suitable to work with vulnerable people.

We carried out this inspection to check on the care and welfare of people using this service. Our inspection was discussed and arranged two days in advance. This was to ensure that we had time to see and speak to staff working at the practice, as well as people registered with the service. We consulted the local primary care trust (PCT) and reviewed their comments.

Treatment could be arranged at a convenient time, and people told us they did not experience any lengthy delays. People could consider their treatment options and any costs involved, and did not have to make a decision immediately.

Everyone we spoke with told us they were happy with the service and would recommend the practice to family and friends. People we spoke with had used the practice for several years and one person told us, “I’ve been really happy with the treatment here. The staff are wonderful and they give you good advice about how to look after your teeth.”

People said the practice was always clean and they were satisfied with the standard of cleanliness and hygiene. The decontamination room arrangements needed to be improved to ensure suitable infection control standards were met.

Not all staff working at the practice had received the necessary checks to ensure they were suitable to work with people who may be considered vulnerable.