Communication and Handover Guidance

Communication and Handover Guidance is part of meeting I 2.5. For dental nurses, this means using guidance to support clear requests, accurate records and the correct sharing of patient information.

Team working is a professional safety system: know roles and limits, communicate clearly and protect people who raise concerns.

In everyday practice this appears in small moments: a patient who seems uncertain, a receptionist seeking instruction, a dentist working quickly, a trainee needing feedback, a message on a digital system, a handover, or a colleague unsure 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 telling you.
• Choose: a communication method, team route or escalation step that fits the situation.
• Respect: role boundaries, confidentiality, dignity, cultural needs and emotional impact.
• Check: understanding, responsibility, handover content and whether the next person has the necessary information.
• Follow up: record actions, provide feedback, use supervision or team discussion, and raise concerns if needed.

Useful language can be simple: "Can we pause and check whose role this is, so the patient gets the right support?" The wording is calm and professional and gives the team a clear reason to pause, clarify or escalate.

SPF behaviour links

Team working guidance provided by the GDC and other relevant bodies helps dental nurses protect patient dignity, maintain team trust and deliver safe care.