Safeguarding training is essential for individuals working with children and vulnerable adults.
The dental team has a statutory duty of care to all patients and the wider public, which includes ensuring that safeguarding arrangements are in place and are acted on.
All dental care professionals have a responsibility to ensure that patients are protected from abuse, neglect, harassment and breaches of their dignity and respect.
What is Safeguarding in Dentistry
Safeguarding means protecting a patient’s health, rights and wellbeing and preventing harm or further harm. Whether the risk is provided by dental neglect or other areas, dental professionals must take appropriate action and raise concerns if they have concerns about the possible abuse of their patients (children or vulnerable adults) including concerns about staff.
How often should a Dental staff do Safeguarding?
Safeguarding training should be refreshed every three years. Dental nurses and the reception team are usually the first point of contact for patients and are in a position to identify any potential concerns. Every member of the dental team must be mindful of their safeguarding roles and responsibilities within the dental practice. Dental professions have a duty of care to look after the safety and welfare of their patients.
What will the Dental Safeguarding Training Teach Me?
You will learn how to identify safeguarding concerns in children and vulnerable adults within your sector, how to respond to patients and their parents /carers and how to report your concerns within your practice. You will understand how to apply ‘child/patient not brought’ protocols and how to record your observations, actions and referrals to local authority safeguarding teams.
What Level of Safeguarding Training Do Dentists Need?
By the "Safeguarding in General Dental Practice - A Toolkit for Dental Teams" as of April 2019 the following training should be obtained:
- Non-clinical team members must receive Level 1 in Safeguarding Training within 6 weeks of recruitment. A minimum of 2 hours refresher training should be obtained in a three-year period.
- Clinical team members must receive Level 2 Safeguarding Training which incorporates Level 1 training within 6 months of recruitment. A minimum of 3 hours of refresher training should be obtained over a three-year period.
Author
Lisa Pilkington
Safeguarding Training and Consultancy Manager | The Athena Programme