Discrimination and Victimisation

Discrimination and victimisation relate to meeting I 2.8. For dental nurses this means recognising that protected characteristics and raising concerns can create risks to fairness and to the individuals involved.

Teamworking is a safety system: clear roles, respect for scope, and effective communication help protect anyone who raises a concern.

These issues appear in ordinary moments: a patient who seems unsure, a receptionist asking for advice, a dentist hurriedly directing care, a trainee needing feedback, a digital message, a handover, or a colleague worried about speaking up. Interpersonal skill is responding with care, clarity and sound professional judgement.

Practical markers

• Notice: what the patient, colleague, situation or system is conveying.
• Choose: a communication method, team route or escalation step appropriate to 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 raising a concern where required.

Simple language often works best. For example: "Can we pause and check whose role this is, so the patient gets the right support?" This is calm and professional while prompting the team to pause, clarify or escalate.

SPF behaviour links

Ensuring people who raise concerns are protected from discrimination or other detrimental effects helps dental nurses protect patient dignity, team trust and safe care.