Candour and the Dental Nurse Role

Candour is being open and honest with patients when care or treatment has gone wrong, or might have caused harm or distress. For dental nurses this does not mean giving clinical explanations that are the dentist's responsibility. It means recognising problems, keeping the patient safe, communicating respectfully, and ensuring the right person responds.

The professional duty of candour applies to registered dental professionals as individuals. It covers situations where a patient has not complained, so staff must not withhold information because the issue feels awkward or might resolve on its own.

Dental nurses support candour by

• Noticing when a patient is harmed, distressed or confused.
• Escalating urgent clinical concerns promptly.
• Responding with empathy and avoiding defensive language.
• Passing concerns to the dentist, senior nurse or complaints lead.
• Recording facts accurately and promptly.
• Helping the team learn from incidents and complaints.

Dental nurses must not investigate complex incidents alone, offer clinical conclusions beyond their competence, promise compensation, admit liability, blame colleagues, or conceal information to protect the practice. Responses should be calm, factual, respectful and timely.

Professional and statutory duties

Candour is not blame. It is honest, patient-centred communication when care has gone wrong or may have caused harm or distress.