Legal Responsibilities and the Dental Nurse Role

Responsibility for patient information is shared between the practice and individual professionals. The practice is normally the data controller for patient records, but every team member who handles information must follow the law, professional standards, local policy and approved systems.

Dental nurses are not expected to make complex legal judgements alone. You should follow these practical duties: keep information confidential, access records only for legitimate work, use information fairly and securely, share only by approved routes, and report mistakes or risks promptly.

Information dental nurses may handle

• Medical histories, medicines, allergies, radiographs, notes and treatment records.
• Appointment information, contact details, payment or NHS/private status information.
• Communication needs, interpreter requirements, carer details and reasonable adjustments.
• Safeguarding, capacity, complaint, incident or referral information.
• Documents, screenshots, laboratory forms, prescriptions, emails and text messages.

Treat patient information as confidential unless you have a clear work reason and an approved route to use it. Curiosity, convenience, gossip, informal messaging and shared logins are not legitimate reasons to view or share records.

Data controller and information governance lead

Protecting patient information is part of safe, ethical dental nursing.