Performance, Support and Patient Safety

Performance, Support and Patient Safety addresses I 2.2. For dental nurses this includes recognising when routine support is insufficient and an escalation or different action is required.

Team working is a practical safety system: knowing roles and limits, communicating clearly, and protecting people who raise concerns.

These responsibilities show up in everyday moments: a patient who seems unsure, a receptionist seeking guidance, a dentist working quickly, a trainee needing feedback, a message that requires clarification, a handover, or a colleague worried about speaking up. Interpersonal skill means responding with care, clear communication and professional judgement.

Practical markers

• Notice: what the patient, colleague, situation or system is signalling.
• Choose: a communication method, team route or escalation step appropriate to the situation.
• 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: record actions, give feedback, use supervision or team discussion, and raise concerns if needed.

Useful phrasing can be direct and professional: "Can we pause and check whose role this is, so the patient gets the right support?" It prompts the team to pause, clarify responsibilities or escalate where necessary.

SPF behaviour links

Professional responsibilities in appraisal, colleague development and effective feedback help dental nurses protect patient dignity, maintain team trust and ensure safe care.