Patients' needs were assessed and care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with their individual treatment plan. We saw that treatment options had been discussed and details had been documented in patient records. One patient told us about the way in which their dentist had made their visit to the practice more pleasant. “He is so happy all the time in his job”. They went on to describe the dentist as “a very patient dentist”.

The practice had modified areas of the building as a result of a Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) audit. An area of the reception desk had been lowered to ensure reception services were accessible to wheelchair users. The practice was able to treat patients in a ground floor surgery if they were unable to use stairs. People's diversity, values and human rights were respected.

The practice had a designated decontamination room. This had been designed to accommodate all the equipment necessary for decontamination and to meet best practice as described in the Department of Health guidance. Decontamination procedures were separated from all clinical areas. This meant that contaminated and sterilised instruments did not come into contact with each other.

The practice carried out regular audits of record keeping to ensure consistency and quality was maintained. The results of the audit were discussed at each clinician’s annual appraisal and any action plans provided part of the clinician’s objectives for their personal development.