Colleague Communication and Direct Care

Colleague Communication and Direct Care supports meeting I 1.5. For dental nurses this means passing accurate, timely information to protect patient safety.

Communication in dental nursing is practical safety work. It underpins consent, dignity, reassurance, record keeping, handover, prevention and the need to escalate concerns.

In everyday practice this appears in small moments: a patient who seems unsure, a receptionist seeking guidance, a dentist working rapidly, a trainee asking for feedback, a message sent electronically, a handover, or a colleague worried about raising a concern. Interpersonal skill is responding 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

Spoken, written and electronic communication with dental and wider healthcare colleagues helps dental nurses protect patient dignity, team trust and safe care.