Handling Disclosures and Sensitive Conversations

A disclosure about FGM may be direct, hesitant, partial, or mixed with other concerns. A dental nurse's initial response can determine whether the person feels believed, safe, and willing to accept help.

Keep calm and listen. Speak only as needed to establish immediate safety. Do not ask leading questions or press for graphic detail, and avoid asking the patient to repeat traumatic information to multiple staff members. If the patient is a child, use brief open prompts such as "Tell me what you mean" only to the extent needed to assess immediate risk and pass on the concern.

You can say: "I am glad you told me." "This is not your fault." "I cannot keep this secret if someone may be unsafe, but I will only share it with people who need to help." "We can find someone who knows how to support you." These statements are honest and practical; they do not promise outcomes or minimise the concern.

• Protect privacy and, if safe, move to a quieter space.
• Use professional interpreting services when needed.
• Do not contact relatives or community members to clarify the disclosure.
• Consider immediate safety before the patient leaves the practice.
• Support adult survivors while remaining alert to any risk to children.

The safest response is calm, truthful, non-judgemental, and followed by timely safeguarding action.

Interpreters And Survivor Support