Welcome

This course is for dental nurses seeking targeted CPD towards the GDC Safe Practitioner Framework Interpersonal Skills outcome I 2.7: Describe the scope of practice of each member of the dental team and how the roles interact for effective teamwork and patient care.

SPF fit: The course supports the GDC Safe Practitioner Framework domain of Interpersonal Skills, sub-domain Teamwork and Wellbeing of Others. It focuses on learning outcome I 2.7 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)5: Take a patient-centred approach to working with the dental and wider healthcare team; I(B)6: Where appropriate manage and refer/delegate work according to the scope of practice of members of the dental team, in line with competence and professional practice.

The Interpersonal Skills domain expects dental nurses to communicate with emotional awareness, care, compassion, empathy and respect, and to work effectively as part of the dental team while supporting the wellbeing of others.

Why This Course Matters

• Targeted: the course focuses on a single SPF Interpersonal Skills learning outcome rather than general communication topics.
• Dental-nurse specific: examples concentrate on chairside care, reception duties, handover, records, patient questions, interpreter needs, feedback, scope and team working.
• Clear scope: dental nurses will learn how to observe, support, explain within their role, record, question, hand over and escalate without making decisions outside their competence.
• Professional practice: I2.7 is presented as practical knowledge for safe communication, maintaining patient dignity and supporting team function.

A Simple Learner Spine

• Describe broad scope differences across the dental team.
• Explain how roles interact for safe patient pathways.
• Recognise the dental nurse contribution to teamwork and continuity.
• Use role knowledge to communicate safely with patients.
• Escalate role confusion, unsafe delegation or scope drift.