Safety, Confidentiality and Escalation

Safety, Confidentiality and Escalation supports I 1.1. For dental nurses this means recognising when a communication method creates a risk and when to involve the dentist, manager or data lead.

Communication in dental nursing directly affects patient safety: it supports consent, dignity, reassurance, records, handover, prevention and escalation.

In everyday practice this appears in simple moments: a patient who seems unsure, a receptionist seeking guidance, a dentist working quickly, a trainee needing feedback, a phone message, a handover, or a colleague worried about raising a concern. Interpersonal skill is the ability to respond with care, clarity and professional judgement.

Practical markers

• Notice: what the patient, colleague, situation or system is communicating.
• Choose: a communication method, team route or escalation step that fits the context.
• Respect: role boundaries, confidentiality, dignity, cultural needs and emotional impact.
• Check: understanding, responsibility, handover and whether the next person has the information they need.
• Follow up: through records, feedback, supervision, team discussion or concern-raising where needed.

Useful language can be simple: "Can I check how the patient would prefer us to explain this before we continue?" The wording is calm and professional and gives the team a clear reason to pause, clarify or escalate.

SPF behaviour links

Communication methods and technologies and their appropriate application in support of clinical practice helps dental nurses protect patient dignity, team trust and safe care.