Welcome

This course is for dental nurses completing CPD for the GDC Safe Practitioner Framework Interpersonal Skills outcome I 1.2: Describe the importance of non-verbal communication, including listening skills, and the barriers to effective communication.

SPF fit: This course supports the GDC Safe Practitioner Framework domain Interpersonal Skills, subdomain Effective Communication. It addresses learning outcome I 1.2 and maps to behaviour I(B)1: Communicate with care, compassion, empathy and respect in all professional interactions with patients, their representatives, the public and colleagues.

The Interpersonal Skills domain expects dental nurses to communicate with emotional awareness, care and respect. It also covers effective team working and supporting colleagues' wellbeing.

Why This Course Matters

• It is targeted: the course focuses on one SPF Interpersonal Skills learning outcome rather than general communication theory.
• It is dental-nurse specific: examples illustrate chairside care, reception duties, handover, records, patient questions, interpreter needs, feedback, scope and team working.
• It keeps scope clear: dental nurses learn what they can observe, support, explain, record, question, hand over and escalate without making decisions outside their competence.
• It supports professionalism: the content presents practical knowledge to help maintain patient dignity and safe communication within the dental team.

A Simple Learner Spine

• Explain why non-verbal communication matters in dental care.
• Use listening skills to support patient understanding and dignity.
• Recognise barriers such as anxiety, pain, language, culture, disability and noise.
• Respond sensitively when non-verbal cues suggest concern or distress.
• Escalate communication concerns that may affect safe care.