About this course
Free course - no card required
Are you a non-dentist member of the dental care team, seeking to enhance your skills when faced with the tough conversations involved in breaking bad news? This course is tailored just for you.
Our course is crafted to provide dental care professionals like you, beyond just the dentists, with a profound grasp of the art of compassionate communication. Understand the unique challenges of different roles, know what to do when the dentist has missed something important or serious, and master strategies to support patients empathetically and effectively.
Delivering challenging news in a dental environment doesn't solely fall on the shoulders of the dentist. Whether it's sharing unexpected findings, explaining complex treatments, or simply handling sensitive patient queries, every member of the dental care team must navigate these intricate interactions.
Boost your confidence, elevate patient trust, and become central to delivering exceptional patient care. Sign up now and make a difference with every conversation!
This free course is relevant to nurses, hygienists, therapists, CDTs, receptionists and other members of the dental care team..
CPD Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (1.5 CPD Credits)
Customer feedback on this course
- Very informative and precise about the essential components of breaking bad news
- Excellent, really helped me understand the topic in a clear and detailed manner.
- It was really nice and enlightening, great to see it was actually created for dental nurses.
- A really meaningful course. Helps to communicate better in tough situations.
- Clear , precise and gives proper understanding about delivering bad news to patients and how to effectively support and guide them through the situation.
Assessment: 12 MCQs. Pass mark 75%. more…
On passing the assessment you will immediately receive a GDC-recognised Enhanced CPD Certificate.
Aim:
To equip Dental Care Professionals with the essential knowledge, skills, and best practices to effectively and compassionately communicate unfavourable or unexpected news to patients while maintaining professional collaboration within the dental team.
Course objective:
• To understand the emotional, psychological, and practical implications of delivering bad news within a dental setting.
• To foster effective communication strategies that promote patient trust, collaboration with the dental team, and adherence to professional ethical standards.
Anticipated learning outcomes:
The learner will:
• Identify situations that require the delivery of unfavourable news to dental patients.
• Employ evidence-based techniques to convey bad news in a compassionate, clear, and ethical manner.
• Demonstrate effective communication with other members of the dental team, ensuring the patient's best interest is prioritised.
• Respond empathetically to patient reactions, provide emotional support and address immediate concerns.
GDC Development Outcomes:
A D
Learning content:
Breaking Bad News for DCPs | Introduction | The Dental Examination | Action Plan for Therapists | Managing Unexpected Observations | Supporting Patients Post-Diagnosis | Handling Emotions | Assisting with Treatment Planning | Missed Diagnoses | Navigating the Aftermath | Course Completion
View full course description
Breaking Bad News for DCPs
Course Description
Breaking Bad News for DCPs
This course is designed for non-dentist members of the dental care team, providing essential skills for delivering bad news with empathy and professionalism. You’ll learn strategies for compassionate communication, ensuring patients feel supported during difficult conversations.
Introduction
The introduction discusses the importance of handling distressing news with care. It covers situations where patients may receive unexpected diagnoses or cost estimates, and the very important role dental care professionals play in providing emotional support.
The Dental Examination
During dental check-ups, DCPs often assist in delivering difficult news. This section provides guidelines on maintaining composure, facilitating communication between the dentist and patient, and creating a supportive environment for these discussions.
Action Plan for Therapists
Dental therapists and hygienists may encounter undetected issues during routine work. This section outlines an action plan for collaborating with dentists when new findings arise, including the use of photography and timely consultations.
Managing Unexpected Observations
This section offers protocols for hygienists and therapists who notice overlooked conditions, such as suspicious lesions or severe periodontal disease. It emphasises discretion and collaboration to ensure patient safety and proper diagnosis.
Supporting Patients Post-Diagnosis
Patients may feel overwhelmed after receiving a diagnosis. This part covers techniques for gauging their understanding, delivering news clearly and compassionately, and ensuring they have all necessary resources and follow-up care.
Handling Emotions
Dealing with emotional reactions is essential in bad news delivery. This section teaches how to support patients who may react with anger, confusion, or sadness, while maintaining empathy and professionalism.
Assisting with Treatment Planning
After breaking bad news, it’s essential to help patients focus on the next steps. This section looks at how support staff can guide patients through treatment planning, provide written information, and introduce additional resources.
Missed Diagnoses
When dental professionals notice something missed in previous exams, it can be challenging to address. This section provides advice on tactfully bringing concerns to the dentist’s attention and ensuring patient care remains a priority.
Navigating the Aftermath
This section focuses on supporting patients and dentists after a difficult diagnosis, dealing with patient queries, and maintaining a balance between honesty and sensitivity.
Course Completion
A summary of the course, inviting participants to complete the assessment and provide feedback. Upon successful completion, participants can download a GDC-compliant Enhanced CPD Certificate.
You can copy and adapt this example PDP entry for your own needs and circumstances. The format complies with GDC guidance on PDP structure.
| PDP Learning or Maintenance need |
| Conveying challenging news effectively |
| How does this relate to my field of practice? |
| Essential for patient trust and collaboration in care. |
| Which development outcome(s) does it link to? |
| A, D |
| What benefit will this have to my work? |
| Improved patient trust, enhanced team collaboration, and personal satisfaction in elevated communication skills |
| How will I meet this learning or maintenance need? |
| Take the Verified Learning course "Breaking bad news for DCPs". |
| When will I complete this by? |
Note: After copying and adapting the suggested PDP entry, remember to reflect, plan, act, and evaluate for every CPD activity you undertake.