Patients who used the service understood the care and treatment choices available to them. We spoke with three patients and one young person's parent who told us that the orthodontist explained treatment in a way they understood. One patient said 'we are given good advice as the treatment progresses. If we need information we ask at reception or talk to the orthodontist". Patients expressed their views and were involved in making decisions about their care and treatment. One patient said 'we were given a choice as to the type of treatment available and given information about the plus and minus consequences'
Patients' diversity, values and human rights were respected. The surgery was not able to offer wheelchair access or access to those with a mobility problem. As most of the surgery patients were young and able bodied, this did not cause a problem. Where a person with mobility problems required treatment they would be referred to a practice that would be able to offer this service. The service had been assessed under the disability Discrimination Act and the building was not suitable to be adapted to accommodate disabled access. The service had an arrangement with a local orthodontist who'se surgery had full disabled access.
The practice did not have robust decontamination processes in place to ensure that patients were protected from cross infection. The treatment room could compromise this due to worn flooring and gaps around the edges which could become contaminated as they were hard to clean effectively.
Staff working at the practice were well trained, supported and supervised we saw records of training, one to one supervision and staff annual appraisal. Staff told us they were well supported and could access training.
The practice gained feedback from patients who used the service by questionnaires, verbally following treatment and patients could comment anonymously by suggestion box.