Welcome

This course is for dental nurses completing CPD against the GDC Safe Practitioner Framework Professionalism learning outcome P 1.12: Describe the responsibility that dental practices and individual practitioners have in compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks.

SPF fit: This course supports the GDC Safe Practitioner Framework domain of Professionalism, sub domain Ethics and Integrity. It focuses on learning outcome P 1.12 and links closely to behaviours P(B)10, P(B)14, P(B)7, P(B)8, P(B)11 and P(B)5.

Legal and regulatory compliance sits with both the practice and the individual. Practices must provide suitable systems - policies, training, checks and records - to meet legal duties. Individual dental professionals must work within their scope, maintain competence and follow those systems. As a dental nurse you operate within practice processes but also retain personal professional accountability.

Why This Course Matters

• Practices need systems: policies, training, audits and records help meet legal and regulatory duties.
• Individuals remain accountable: dental nurses must work within scope, competence and GDC standards.
• Compliance protects patients: it supports safe care, dignity, confidentiality, fairness and trust.
• Gaps should be raised: a weak system should be improved, not quietly worked around.

A Simple Learner Spine

• Understand: know the difference between practice responsibility and individual accountability.
• Use systems: follow current procedures, records and escalation routes.
• Keep evidence: training, checks, records and audits show compliance in action.
• Ask early: seek help when law, regulation or policy is unclear.
• Speak up: raise compliance gaps that could affect patients, staff or public trust.