We talked with five people using the service. The people we spoke with expressed a high level of satisfaction with the service. All told us they had been attending there for a number of years, and for most, their families attended too. One person who told us they were normally very nervous of going to the dentist said they wouldn’t consider going anywhere else. They said the dentist they saw had a pleasant manner, always took time to explain what they proposed to do, gave the person time to consider that and carried out any treatment with great care and sensitivity. Another person told us they had a high level of confidence in their dentist. “One of the best dentists I’ve been to” they added. Another person, whose first language was not English, said they were very happy with the practice but added it would be easier on occasions if information could be given in their own language. There was one dentist who spoke that language but who sometimes wasn’t available. With the person’s consent we discussed that matter with the principal dentist and manager. Both agreed to look into it further.

We found the service had arrangements in place to provide the care and treatment people required. The service involved people in decisions about their care. It had procedures to protect people from the risk of abuse. The service maintained a clean environment to minimise the risk of infection. People were looked after by staff who were appropriately trained and supported.