Team Working and Patient Safety

Team Working and Patient Safety maps to I 2.4. For dental nurses this covers how clear communication, respect for roles and reliable practice protect patients.

Team working functions as a safety system: know who is responsible, respect scope of practice, communicate clearly and support colleagues who raise concerns.

In everyday practice this shows up in small interactions: a patient looking unsure, a receptionist seeking direction, a dentist working quickly, a trainee needing feedback, a message that needs action, a handover or a colleague worried about speaking up. Interpersonal skill means responding with care, clarity 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 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: record actions, give feedback, use supervision, raise concerns or agree team improvements as required.

Useful phrasing can be brief and direct: "Can we pause and check whose role this is, so the patient gets the right support?" The wording is calm and professional and prompts clarification or escalation.

SPF behaviour links

How team members and effective team working contribute to safe, effective, high-quality care and culturally diverse teams helps dental nurses protect patient dignity, team trust and safe care.