A DENTAL practice has been suspended from carrying out NHS work following an inspection by the national health watchdog.

The Care Quality Commission took action against the Chequers Dental Practice on Endless Street after last Wednesday’s inspection.

The practice is now banned from carrying out NHS work until February 16.

A CQC statement read: “As a result of this inspection, the Care Quality Commission is now taking action.

“Where providers are not meeting essential standards, we have a range of enforcement powers we can use to protect the health, safety and welfare of people who use this service.

“When we propose to take enforcement action, our decision is open to challenge by the provider through a variety of internal and external appeal processes.

“In due course, we will publish a full report of our inspection, including details of any action we take."

In a statement, Ahmed Giaziri, the principal dentist at Chequers, said the practice had “always been committed to providing high quality dental care and our patients oral health is our first priority”.

Mr Giaziri said: "It has recently come to our attention that urgent repair and maintenance work is needed at the practice, requiring us to close until the work has been completed.

“We are working closely with relevant organisations and local partners to ensure that our usual high standards are resumed as quickly as possible.

"Until the repairs have been completed, we are actively communicating with patients to ensure continuity of care and will be treating any patients requiring urgent dental care in satellite treatment rooms at several nearby dental practices.

"The friendly team is at hand to answer any questions patients may have and provide details of where we will treat them in the interim period, if needed. We are confident that our comprehensive plan of action will quickly and efficiently rectify matters."

For further advice, contact the Wiltshire Dental Helpline on 0845 758 1926 or visit the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk