GDC Expectations for Team Working

GDC Expectations for Team Working supports meeting I 2.5. For dental nurses this links standards on colleagues, patients, communication and professionalism to everyday practice.

Team working is a professional safety system: knowing roles and limits, communicating clearly and protecting anyone who raises concerns.

It shows up in routine moments: a patient who seems uncertain, a receptionist requesting guidance, a dentist working quickly, a trainee needing feedback, a digital message, a handover, or a colleague worried about speaking up. Interpersonal skill means responding with care, clarity and sound professional judgement.

Practical markers

• Notice: what the patient, colleague, situation or system is signalling.
• Choose: an appropriate communication method, team route or escalation step.
• 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 raise concerns where necessary.

Useful phrasing can be direct and professional: "Can we pause and check whose role this is, so the patient gets the right support?" This gives 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, team trust and safe care.