A dental practice in Silloth has failed in two out of five areas after being inspected by the Care Quality Commission.

Alma Terrace, which is run by Dr Fiona Buchanan, was found not to be providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations and that its services were not deemed to be effective.

The CQC report said: “The impact of our concerns, in terms of the safety of clinical care, is minor for patients using the service.

“Once the shortcomings have been put right the likelihood of them occurring in the future is low.”

It said that “staff had not received training in safeguarding adults and children but knew how to recognise the signs of abuse and who to report them to".

It continued: “Some equipment for use in medical emergencies - basic life support, infection prevention and control, fire safety - was not available and staff had not received updated training in the treatment of medical emergencies.”

The report found the practice was caring, it was providing responsive care and that is was well-led.

Dr Buchanan has moved to reassure patients, and told the News & Star : “I had been lax with paperwork and should have kept up with courses.

"I was due to go on updated courses this month and in November but when they inspected my practice in June I hadn’t been on them for five years and so I failed.

“I admit it does look awful to see that we failed in two out of five areas but I can assure patients that all the medical equipment and everything is up-to-date now and is fully working.”

Professor Steve Field, chief inspector of General Practice (Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care Directorate), said: “We know the quality of care provided by most dentists meets the fundamental standards required by law and, and that is reflected in the reports we have published so far.

“If we find that a dental practice is failing to meet the required standard - we will expect them to provide us with a full plan setting out how they will address the issue, and we will return to check that they have made the required improvements.

​“However good the general picture, we are not complacent. In the first years of inspection, CQC did identify some examples of unacceptable standards of care.

“Our main priority must be to ensure that we protect the public from unsafe care by continuing to inspect against the regulations and taking action that encourages improvement.”