Escalation and Follow-Up

Escalation and follow-up is part of meeting I 1.4. For dental nurses this means ensuring concerns raised by patients or staff reach the right person and are recorded, not left informal.

Communication in dental nursing is practical patient-safety work. It supports consent, dignity, reassurance, accurate records, handover and escalation when needed.

In practice this appears in everyday moments: a patient who seems unsure, a receptionist seeking guidance, a dentist moving through a busy list, a trainee needing feedback, a digital message, or a colleague unsure about raising a concern. Interpersonal skill is responding with care, clear language and professional judgement.

Practical markers

• Notice: recognise what the patient, colleague, situation or system is communicating.
• Choose: select a communication method, team route or escalation step that fits the context.
• Respect: observe role boundaries, confidentiality, dignity, cultural needs and emotional impact.
• Check: confirm understanding, responsibility and whether the next person has the information they need.
• Follow up: record actions, provide feedback, use supervision or raise a concern where appropriate.

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

SPF behaviour links

Effective and sensitive spoken, written and electronic communication with the public helps dental nurses protect patient dignity, team trust and safe care.