Our first full CQC inspection.

We have just been through the mill!  The very nice CQC lady watched us treat and deal with patients and closely monitored how we performed various procedures, like sterilisation of instruments.  She interviewed patients in private, clearly asking some searching questions, and told us afterwards that we got glowing reports and recommendations. She had not previously visited a practice with a dental laboratory and was interested in what we do and the benefits the laboratory could provide for patients.   In particular, we showed some of the technology associated with implants. Dentalia was also described as “unusual” in many ways including its location, the services we provide, the complex restorations we perform and our care of patients, particularly vulnerable ones. We compared very favourably with other practices. It was not a case of pass or fail, although in extreme cases a practice can be shut down, but we got just three minor recommendations – a date missing from a document, a safeguarding document we could usefully add and placing a cross-reference on sterilised instruments packs. Lots of back-slapping all round. Given that we have only been operating as a dental practice for just over a year, starting from zero, this was a great achievement. Our thanks to all our staff for a sterling performance. John