Welcome

This course is for dental nurses seeking targeted CPD for the GDC Safe Practitioner Framework Interpersonal Skills outcome I 2.5: Describe the team working guidance provided by the GDC and other relevant bodies.

SPF fit: This course supports the GDC Safe Practitioner Framework domain of Interpersonal Skills, sub domain Teamwork and Wellbeing of Others. It focuses on learning outcome I 2.5 and maps to behaviours I(B)2: Respect the roles of dental and other healthcare professionals in the context of learning and working in a dental and wider healthcare team; I(B)3: Demonstrate effective team working; I(B)4: Contribute to your team in providing dental care for patients; I(B)5: Take a patient-centred approach to working with the dental and wider healthcare team.

The Interpersonal Skills domain expects dental nurses to communicate with emotional awareness, care, compassion, empathy and respect. It also requires effective team working and active support for colleagues' wellbeing.

Why This Course Matters

• It is targeted: the course addresses a single SPF Interpersonal Skills learning outcome rather than general communication themes.
• It is dental-nurse specific: examples are relevant to chairside care, reception cover, handover, record-keeping, answering patient questions, working with interpreters, giving feedback, scope of practice and everyday team interactions.
• It keeps scope clear: dental nurses will see what they can observe, support, explain, record, question, hand over and escalate, without taking decisions outside their competence.
• It supports professionalism: I2.5 is treated as practical guidance for safe communication, maintaining patient dignity and contributing to effective teamwork.

A Simple Learner Spine

• Describe GDC expectations for team working.
• Recognise guidance on respect, communication, delegation and raising concerns.
• Apply team-working guidance to dental nurse practice.
• Identify relevant local policies and external bodies.
• Escalate when team culture or systems undermine guidance.