Safeguarding Leads, Referral Routes, and Speaking Up

A safeguarding lead helps the practice respond consistently. Every dental nurse still has a personal duty to raise concerns if a child or adult may be at risk.

The lead should know local referral routes, advice numbers, out-of-hours contacts and how to support staff after a difficult case. Many dental nurses are senior team members or practice managers and may be the safeguarding lead or deputy. If you are not the lead, know where the policy is, who the deputy is and what to do if the usual route is unavailable.

Speaking up can be difficult, especially if a dentist, owner or senior colleague seems dismissive. Use patient-centred language: "I may have misunderstood, but I am still worried about that child's comment." "Can we check the safeguarding pathway before they leave?" "I think this needs recording as a concern, even if we decide no referral is needed today."

• Raise the concern promptly with the safeguarding lead or dentist.
• Use local authority, health board or HSC trust advice routes where required.
• Escalate externally if local action fails and risk remains.
• Use emergency services for immediate danger.
• Ask for debrief or supervision after distressing cases.

Hierarchy does not remove a dental nurse's duty to protect patients and raise concerns.

What Inspectors And Regulators Expect