Communication With Patients

Communication With Patients supports meeting I 2.6. For dental nurses, this means explaining roles and next steps clearly while staying within scope and not undermining colleagues.

Team working is a safety system: know roles, respect scope, communicate clearly and protect those who raise concerns.

These skills show in everyday moments: a patient who looks uncertain, a receptionist needing guidance, a dentist working quickly, a trainee asking for feedback, a digital message, a handover, or a colleague worried about raising an issue. Interpersonal skill is responding with care, clarity and professional judgement.

Practical markers

• Notice: what the patient, colleague, situation or system is indicating.
• Choose: a communication method, team route or escalation step that fits 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: through records, feedback, supervision, team discussion or concern-raising where needed.

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

SPF behaviour links

The impact of Direct Access on registrant groups and the application of each group's scope of practice helps dental nurses protect patient dignity, team trust and safe care.