Enter and view: GHB Dental Practice

Healthwatch Sheffield carried out an Enter and View visit to GHB Dental Care, an independent dental practice in Sheffield. Overall, representatives were highly impressed with the quality of care provided and reported that patients expressed very high levels of satisfaction with the service. The practice, located in a converted house, primarily serves private patients while providing NHS treatment for under-18s. Patients particularly valued the continuity of care, with each patient normally seeing the same dentist over time.

The practice was praised for its patient-centred approach. New patients received a comprehensive welcome pack before treatment began, and the practice actively collected detailed patient feedback covering cleanliness, treatment options, staff attitudes, fees, dignity and overall satisfaction. Patients described staff as friendly, approachable and helpful, with several commenting positively on being able to see the same dentist consistently and obtain prompt appointments when needed. 

Healthwatch found that the practice maintained a stable and experienced workforce, including three dentists, a hygienist, dental nurses, reception staff and a practice manager. Staff training was ongoing and included safeguarding. The practice also demonstrated strong attention to clinical governance, with robust systems for instrument sterilisation, record-keeping and traceability. Representatives noted that the website provided clear information about services, pricing, complaints and compliments, helping patients make informed choices.

Some practical challenges were identified. The converted-house layout could be difficult for unfamiliar visitors to navigate, and parking capacity was limited. While a ground-floor treatment room was available for patients with mobility difficulties, Healthwatch recommended exploring whether additional downstairs treatment provision might be beneficial. Concerns were also raised about information displayed on a waiting-room screen, where small font sizes and rapid scrolling made content difficult to read. The practice responded positively and confirmed it was already exploring ways to improve this. 

Patient feedback gathered during the visit was overwhelmingly positive. Comments included praise for the friendly staff, punctual appointments, long-term trust in the service and the availability of ground-floor treatment facilities. One patient reported continuing to attend despite having moved away from Sheffield because of confidence in the care received. Healthwatch concluded that GHB Dental Care delivered a very high standard of patient care, with recommendations focused on improving communication displays, reviewing parking arrangements and considering future accessibility improvements.