Reading List

This list gathers current UK guidance and further reading for dental nurses on inclusive communication, patient dignity, language support, equality, patient-centred care, and professional standards.

GDC Professional Standards

• GDC - Standards for the Dental Team
  The core professional standards for all registered dental professionals, including communication, consent, dignity, complaints, teamwork, and raising concerns.
  https://www.gdc-uk.org/standards-guidance/standards-and-guidance/standards-for-the-dental-team

• GDC Standards - Principle 2: Communicate effectively with patients
  GDC guidance on assessing communication needs, respecting cultural values, arranging interpreters, and providing clear patient information.
  https://standards.gdc-uk.org/pages/principle2/principle2

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

• GDC - Learning outcomes and behaviours
  Links to Safe Practitioner frameworks, including dental nurse outcomes and behaviours for communication, professionalism, teamwork, and patient care.
  https://www.gdc-uk.org/education-cpd/dental-education/quality-assurance/learning-outcomes-and-behaviours

Accessible and Inclusive Communication

• NHS England - Accessible Information Standard
  Guidance on identifying, recording, flagging, sharing and meeting people’s information and communication support needs.
  https://www.england.nhs.uk/accessible-information-standard/

• NHS England - Interpreting and translation in primary care
  Primary-care guidance and signposting for arranging interpreting and translation for patients who need language support.
  https://www.england.nhs.uk/interpreting/

• SDCEP Practice Support Manual - Communication with patients
  Dental-practice guidance linking effective communication with privacy, dignity, consent and patient involvement.
  https://www.psm.sdcep.org.uk/topics/communication/communication-with-patients/

Equality and Person-Centred Care

• GOV.UK - Equality Act 2010 guidance
  Overview of the Equality Act 2010 and protection from discrimination at work and in wider society.
  https://www.gov.uk/equality-act-2010-guidance

• CQC - Regulation 9: Person-centred care
  Regulatory guidance requiring care and treatment to be appropriate, meet people’s needs, and reflect their preferences.
  https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-regulation/providers/regulations-service-providers-and-managers/health-social-care-act/regulation-9

Use these sources to strengthen your practice in inclusive communication, cultural safety, patient-centred care, and the professional standards that guide dental nurses.