At the time of the inspection the practice was open for emergency treatment only. We spoke with three parents of children and one child receiving treatment during our visit.

Parents told us the orthodontist gained their consent before treatment was provided to their children. A parent told us “the orthodontist talked through everything. Time was given for reflection to make sure he (the child) understood. We agreed with the treatment plan. We trust their professional judgement. We were not forced or rushed.” Another patient told us their treatment was explained to them before it was started.

Patients felt safe with the dental staff. A child attending with their parent told us they felt safe. We were told parents were encouraged to accompany children under 18 on appointments. The staff we spoke with knew the signs of abuse and the actions they needed to take for raising concerns.

The practice was clean and there were systems in place to protect people from the risk of infection. The staff had followed infection control and the decontamination of instruments procedures to help protect patients' to reduce the risk of infection.

Parents told us the staff were good. Staff attended training to ensure they had the skills and knowledge needed to support the orthodontist. Information about the running of the practice and policy changes were discussed during staff meetings. Appraisals were annual and reviewed staff performance and development needs. One to one supervisions were not taking place regularly. The provider and practice manager told us supervision was to take place and explained the arrangements to provide individual supervision.

Effective systems to assess the quality of the service were in place. Parents told us their views about the service had been sought by the provider. They told us they felt confident to raise concerns with the practice manager.

We spoke with three children, and two parents accompanying their children, attending Whitetree dental practice for treatment. The children we spoke with told us they had to come every eight to ten weeks for checks and adjustments to their brace. They said that it was easy to make appointments and that the staff were good at trying to fit them in around school activities and lessons. They told us that they liked the dentists saying: ‘he explains what is going to happen, and I think the service is good and all the staff are friendly’ and ‘I can choose which colour bands I want to have’. The parents were pleased with the treatment telling us: “the dentist involves the children and always reminds them of the care they need to take of their brace at each visit”.