Reception, Admin and Handover

Reception, Admin and Handover supports I 2.7. For dental nurses this covers using role knowledge when they staff reception or assist with administration.

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

In everyday practice this can be small moments: a patient who seems unsure, a receptionist asking which clinician should respond, a dentist moving quickly, a trainee needing 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 communicating.
• 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.

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

SPF behaviour links

Scope of practice of dental team members and how roles interact for teamwork and patient care helps dental nurses protect patient dignity, team trust and safe care.