Teamwork, Conflict and Communication Strain

Teamwork, Conflict and Communication Strain supports meeting S 3.2. For dental nurses this covers handling friction, unclear roles, interruptions and power imbalances while maintaining professional focus and patient safety.

Self-management here does not minimise pressure. It means recognising personal, emotional and system stresses early enough to protect patients, colleagues and yourself.

In practice this shows up in small moments: a routine task that feels different, a patient question beyond your usual scope, an unclear handover, a colleague who seems under pressure, a new system, or a sense that something is not right. Professional self-management is noticing those signals 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, your competence, current guidance, local policy and the support available.
• Ask: for advice or feedback when uncertainty, workload, emotion or change might 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: "I am worried this pressure is starting to affect safe care; can we pause and agree the safest next step?" It is respectful and clearly names the safety, learning or wellbeing concern so someone can respond.

SPF behaviour links

Strategies for personal and emotional challenges of work, teamwork and workload helps dental nurses link self-management with patient safety, professional growth and team trust.