Welwyn Dental Practice

Updated 16 September 2024

We carried out this on-site announced assessment on 20 November 2024. We found the practice had not met all regulations. Patients’ care and treatment was provided in line with current guidance. Patients were treated with dignity and respect and at the time of our assessment, could access care, support and treatment when required. Infection prevention and control procedures broadly followed published guidance. There was, however, ineffective leadership and a lack of a culture of continuous improvement. Not all risks associated with the undertaking of regulated activities had been suitably identified and mitigated. Recruitment procedures did not reflect current legislation, and the practice did not have an effective system to monitor staff training to ensure action could be taken quickly if training requirements were not being met. Welwyn Dental Practice is in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire and provides private dental care and treatment for adults and children. There was a small step into the practice and staff assisted patients who were wheelchair users to access the practice. Car parking spaces, including dedicated parking for disabled people, were available near the practice. The practice had 1 treatment room. During the assessment we spoke with the principal dentist, the dental nurse and the receptionist. We identified a regulation the provider was not complying with. Full details of the regulation the provider was not meeting are within the quality statement section of the report. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.

Updated 16 September 2024

On the day of our assessment, we received patient feedback from 6 patients. Patient feedback provided a positive view of the dental team and care provided by the practice. Patients commented positively about the standards of cleanliness. Patients felt able to book appointments within an acceptable timescale for their needs and said they had enough time during their appointment without feeling rushed. Patients told us they were given clear information to help them make an informed choice about their treatment and any associated costs. They were involved in decisions about their care. Patients told us that when they were prescribed medicines, sufficient information was given. The practice shared patient feedback with the team. We were told this was reviewed and where suggestions had been made, appropriate action would be taken. While the people we spoke to expressed that they were generally happy with their care, our assessment found that not all regulations were met.