Speaking Up About Missed or Unexpected Concerns

Raising a concern in dental practice can be difficult. The dentist may be senior, busy, confident, stressed, or the practice owner. You might worry about being wrong, delaying the clinic, or being seen as difficult. Despite that, dental nurses are registered professionals and patient safety takes priority over hierarchy.

You do not need to give a diagnosis or interpret beyond your competence to raise a concern. Speak from observation: "The patient said the ulcer has been present for four weeks", "The referral form is not attached", "The patient seemed unsure what they agreed to", or "The radiograph is still on screen and I wondered whether this area had been checked."

A practical speaking-up sequence

1. Pause and check: make sure you have understood what you noticed.
2. Choose the moment: speak privately where possible, but do not delay urgent safety concerns.
3. Use neutral language: describe what you saw or heard, not what you think someone did wrong.
4. Link to the patient: explain why it matters before the patient leaves or treatment continues.
5. Escalate if needed: use the practice concern, safeguarding, clinical governance, or whistleblowing route if risk remains.

Many teams welcome staff who raise concerns. If you are dismissed, stay professional and keep the focus on patient care. You can say, "I understand. I am still concerned the patient has not understood the next step. How would you like that recorded or followed up?"

If speaking up feels difficult

Speaking up is not an attack on the dentist. It is a professional action to protect the patient, the team, and trust in care.