Care Quality Commission report: Hangleton Dental Practice, June 2025
Hangleton Dental Practice
This practice is in Hove and provides NHS and private dental care and treatment for adults and children.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) carried out this unannounced on-site inspection on 23rd July 2025. On this visit, they found the following to be true:
- The practice had not met all regulations.
- Recruitment procedures did not fully reflect current legislation.
- The practice had not ensured that staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles.
- Some staff did not know their responsibilities for safeguarding.
- There was ineffective leadership, a lack of governance systems and the culture did not demonstrate continuous improvement.
- The practice did not have effective systems in place to manage all risks. In particular, the risks associated with fire safety and infection prevention and control.
Patients were treated with dignity and respect and, at the time of the inspection, could access care, support and treatment when required. Patients’ care and treatment was provided in line with current guidance and infection control procedures were in place. Patients’ consent to care and treatment was also obtained in line with legislation and guidance.
There was step-free access to the practice and car parking spaces available, including dedicated parking for disabled people on the front driveway.
The practice had four treatment rooms. At the time of the inspection, there were no qualified dental nurses employed. The dental team consisted of eight dentists, four dental therapists, four dental hygienists, three receptionists and five trainee dental nurses. CQC spoke to a range of staff during their inspection, including three dentists, three trainee dental nurses, one dental therapist/ hygienist and two receptionists.
CQC found that the provider was not complying with four regulations and so have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the identified concerns.
People's experience of this service
On the day of their inspection, CQC spoke with and saw patient written feedback from nine patients.
Comments included:
- “Very good dentist. Have been coming here for many years and very happy with my dentist and reception staff"
- "- staff are always friendly and have treated me well"
- "- had a personal concern that was dealt with completely- full information given.”
Patients commented positively about the standards of cleanliness. Service users reported to CQC that:
- “The environment always appears safe and hygienic”
- “Building is always clean and tidy.”
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.
Comments included:
- “Take time with consulting patient, good range of appointments”
- “Very friendly staff, appointment on time, right care and treatment given.”
Feedback responses from patients reported that 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.
The practice shared patient feedback with the team and told CQC that this was reviewed and, where suggestions had been made, appropriate action would be taken. While patient feedback suggested that they were generally happy with their care, this inspection found there were regulations that were not met.