Reading List

This list collects current UK guidance and further reading for dental nurses involved in difficult conversations, patient distress, scope boundaries, candour, complaints, and speaking up.

GDC Professional Standards and Scope

• GDC - Standards for the Dental Team
  The core standards of conduct, performance, and ethics for all registered dental professionals.
  https://www.gdc-uk.org/standards-guidance/standards-and-guidance/standards-for-the-dental-team

• GDC - Scope of Practice
  Guidance on role boundaries, personal scope, competence, indemnity, and the dental nurse role.
  https://www.gdc-uk.org/standards-guidance/standards-and-guidance/scope-of-practice

• GDC - Learning outcomes and behaviours: Dental Nurse Safe Practitioner framework
  Links to the Safe Practitioner outcomes and behaviours for dental nurses, including communication, teamwork, professionalism, records, and raising concerns.
  https://www.gdc-uk.org/education-cpd/dental-education/quality-assurance/learning-outcomes-and-behaviours

Candour, Complaints, and Speaking Up

• GDC - Being open and honest with patients when something goes wrong
  Guidance on the professional duty of candour, apology, openness, and support after an incident.
  https://www.gdc-uk.org/standards-guidance/standards-and-guidance/gdc-guidance-for-dental-professionals/the-professional-duty-of-candour

• GDC - Complaint handling best practice
  Principles for making complaints easier to raise, responding constructively, and using feedback to improve care.
  https://www.gdc-uk.org/standards-guidance/standards-and-guidance/complaint-handling

• GDC - Raise a concern if you work in dentistry
  Guidance for dental workers on patient-safety concerns, whistleblowing, workplace routes, and when to approach the GDC.
  https://www.gdc-uk.org/raising-concerns/public-protection-issues-and-concerns-about-dental-professionals/raise-a-concern-if-you-work-in-dentistry

Clinical Background and Patient Communication

• NICE NG12 - Suspected cancer: recognition and referral
  UK guidance on symptoms and findings that may require suspected cancer assessment or referral, including oral lesions.
  https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng12

• NHS - Symptoms of mouth cancer
  Patient-facing information on mouth cancer symptoms, when to seek help, and why urgent referral does not automatically mean cancer.
  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mouth-cancer/symptoms/

• NHS England - Accessible Information Standard
  Guidance on helping people access and understand health and care information and receive communication support. Particularly relevant for NHS and publicly funded services, and useful for wider good practice.
  https://www.england.nhs.uk/accessible-information-standard/

These sources clarify dental nurse role boundaries, patient-centred communication, speaking up, and the systems that support safe follow-up after difficult news.