Safeguarding in dental practices
This advice page provides a general outline of safeguarding in dental practices.
More about Safeguarding in dental practicesSafeguarding
Safeguarding overview
Safeguarding is both a professional duty and an ethical responsibility, involving every member of the dental team. It spans all aspects of care — from reception and clinical procedures to patient interactions and staff recruitment. Crucially, consent must be embedded in every safeguarding process.
Safeguarding adults
Safeguarding adults involves protecting individuals who may be at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation due to age, disability, or other vulnerabilities.
More about Safeguarding adultsSafeguarding children
Safeguarding children means protecting them from harm, abuse, and neglect, and promoting their wellbeing in all environments. Everyone working with or around children has a duty to recognise concerns and take appropriate action to keep them safe.
More about Safeguarding childrenTypes of abuse
Abuse can take many forms, and recognising the different types is essential for effective safeguarding. This advice outlines the main categories of abuse affecting both children and adults, helping dental teams identify concerns and respond appropriately.
More about Types of abuseDecision making, mental capacity and competency
This advice page outlines how dental practices should support patients in making informed decisions, assess mental capacity, and understand legal safeguards when liberty or autonomy may be restricted.
More about Decision making, mental capacity and competencyConsent
This advice will help you to meet your requirements for obtaining consent from your patients prior to providing their dental care and treatment.
More about ConsentSafer recruitment and training
Safe working practices begin with robust recruitment procedures, including appropriate criminal record checks, to ensure that only suitable individuals are engaged to work with all patients.
More about Safer recruitment and trainingWas not brought safeguarding resources
Describing children and young people as ‘Was not brought’ instead of ‘Did not attend’ encourages us to think about the situation from the child’s perspective and potentially take action to safeguard them. Our 'Was Not Brought' resources empowers members of the dental team to identify signs of abuse or neglect.
Interactive e-learning
Safeguarding Level 1 and 2: Children and adults at risk
This course will help you understand the importance of safeguarding, enable you to identify the signs of abuse and neglect and provide you with the tools to appropriately respond to concerns (4 hours verifiable CPD).
