Staff at the Old College Dental Surgery in Chippenham are gleaming with pride after receiving a glowing report from the regulator of health and social care in England.

The private surgery on New Road was given one day’s notice that inspectors from the Care Quality Commission would be calling at the end of May.

The surgery met all of the Government’s standards, which include treating people with respect and involving them in their care, safeguarding and cleanliness.

The inspector looked at dental records and spoke with staff and patients, who were positive about the service. One person said: “I used to be terrified of going to the dentist but this dentist is fantastic and has helped me overcome my fear.”

Another said they felt the dentist, Dr Paul Copson, took time to explain treatment to them. People attending for long treatment sessions could even bring their own music or watch a DVD.

The CQC report said: “People told us the dentist explained what was involved and the costs before obtaining consent and proceeding with treatment.”

It noted good arrangements were in place to minimise the risk of infection and for the decontamination of dental instruments, with audits having been done in February and April 2013.

Staff attended relevant training, appraisals were carried out and there were regular practice meetings held. The surgery had not received any complaints.

Dr Copson, 55, is the only dentist in the team of six at the practice, which has been run in New Road since 1981. He graduated from Guy’s Hospital, London, in 1991 and bought the practice in 1999.

He said: “What I was most pleased with was the comments of the dozen patients he interviewed. The back-up from our patients was out of this world, the biggest pat on the back you could have.”

The private practice has 2,300 patients including children and is open to new ones.