Feedback After Mistakes or Near Misses

Feedback After Mistakes or Near Misses supports meeting S 2.6. For dental nurses, it means using feedback from errors to protect patients and reduce the chance of recurrence.

Learning is strongest when reflection, feedback and evidence are linked. The aim is safer practice and clearer professional development, not paperwork for its own sake.

In practice this often shows up in small moments: a routine task, a patient question slightly outside your scope, an unclear handover, a colleague under pressure, a new system, or a feeling that something is not quite right. Professional self-management requires noticing those moments and choosing a safe response.

Practical markers

• Notice: observe what the patient, team, task or system is showing before the concern becomes normalised.
• Check: confirm your role, competence, current guidance, local policy and the support available.
• Ask: seek advice or feedback when uncertainty, workload, emotion or change could affect judgement.
• Act: take a proportionate step: pause, clarify, hand over, record, report, reflect or escalate.
• Review: check whether the action improved safety, learning, wellbeing or confidence for future practice.

Simple speaking-up language can help: "Can I check the current guidance or ask for feedback before we make this routine?" It is respectful but clear enough to prompt action on the safety, learning or wellbeing concern.

SPF behaviour links

Using effective feedback in professional development helps dental nurses connect self-management with patient safety, professional growth and team trust.