Boundaries With Patients Online

Boundaries With Patients Online is part of meeting I 1.9. For dental nurses this means avoiding personal relationships, giving private clinical advice, and using informal channels for clinical messaging.

Social media may feel informal, but the same professional duties apply: confidentiality, valid consent, appropriate tone, advertising rules and public trust.

These issues arise in everyday situations: a patient who looks uncertain, a receptionist asking for guidance, a dentist working quickly, a trainee needing feedback, a digital message, a handover, or a colleague unsure how to raise 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.

Simple, professional wording works well. For example: "I do not think we should respond online until the practice lead has checked confidentiality and tone." It explains the reason for pausing and gives clear next steps.

SPF behaviour links

Professional expectations, impact and consequences of social media as a communication tool helps dental nurses protect patient dignity, team trust and safe care.