Feedback From Patients and Colleagues

Feedback From Patients and Colleagues supports meeting S 2.6. For dental nurses, this means learning from patients, reception staff, clinicians, managers and trainees while keeping within professional boundaries.

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

In practice this often appears in everyday moments: a routine task, a patient question just outside your scope, an unclear handover, a colleague under pressure, a new system, or an uneasy feeling that something is not right. Professional self-management requires noticing these moments and choosing a safe response.

Practical markers

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

Simple speaking-up language works well: "Can I check the current guidance or ask for feedback before we make this routine?" It is respectful and names the safety, learning or wellbeing concern clearly enough for someone else to act.

SPF behaviour links

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