HEREFORD’S Collins House Dental Surgery received a visit this month from the parliamentary under-secretary of state, Earl Howe, as part of their Care Quality Commission inspection.

Collins House is the first dental practice in England to receive an inspection from the body, which commenced regulation of all dental practices in England from April.

Co-principal dentist at the practice, Dr Mark Doyle, said: “Fortunately, we had been well prepared for the inspection process, as we received only nine days notice of the visit.

“As well as holding Denplan Excel accreditation, the dentists and practice team, under Manager Jo Williams, had worked hard over the months to ensure that we were compliant with the requirements expected of us, and we anticipate receiving a very positive report.”

Earl Howe, who is responsible for dentistry in the coalition government, took part in the inspection process which included interviews with practice staff and patients, while the minister also spent time observing instrument sterilisation in the practice’s decontamination unit.

More than 1,000 dentists have received accreditation under Denplan’s Excel programme since its inception in 2001, a voluntary scheme for dentists which includes regular independent audits, patient satisfaction surveys and measurement of each patient’s oral health.