31 January 2012
During a routine inspection
Our visit was discussed and arranged a week in advance with the practice manager. 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 practice.
We talked to five people on the telephone before our visit and one person during our visit about the service they received. Everyone we spoke with told us they were happy with the service. Some of these people also told us about the opinions of other people in their family and how their children were treated at the dental practice, which were also positive. During our visit we spoke with the practice manager, dentists, dental nurses, and reception staff.
The dental practice was on the ground floor which meant the treatment rooms were accessible to all people, including those who required assistance with mobility. There was a large reception and waiting room with adequate space to manoeuvre a pushchair or for people to move in a wheelchair.
People we spoke with knew how to complain but had never had cause to do so. People spoke positively about the service and comments included; 'The whole service is excellent. It starts right from walking into the reception area through to the treatment. The quality is excellent.' 'They're all very professional, all the staff are superb.' 'My experience has always been good and positive.'
People felt involved in making decisions about the dental care they received and were given the information they needed about this and the costs involved. People told us they were given time to consider the options available to them and were never put under pressure to have a specific treatment.