Welcome

Mental capacity law protects people who may be unable to make a particular decision, while also supporting their right to decide when they can. In dental practice this matters for patients with dementia, learning disability, brain injury, delirium, severe anxiety, effects of medication or illness, or fluctuating understanding.

This course is for dental nurses. It concentrates on practical actions you can take: supporting communication, recognising capacity concerns, helping the team avoid assumptions, recording observations, and speaking up to protect a patient's rights and dignity.

Why This Course Matters

• Capacity is decision-specific: a patient may be able to make one dental decision but not another.
• Support comes before judgement: offer help to understand and weigh information before deciding someone lacks capacity.
• Dental nurses often notice the detail: you may see confusion, distress, carer pressure, better times of day for assessment, or specific communication needs at chairside.
• Practice systems matter: capacity concerns need clear records, escalation routes, legal awareness, and respectful team communication.

How This Course Will Help You

The course follows the capacity pathway: core principles, assessment, supported decision-making, best interests, least restrictive care, legal authority, UK differences, records, professional duties, and safe speaking up.