Managing The First 60 Minutes Following a Safeguarding Disclosure in the Dental Practice

A practical, case-based, CPD-aligned awareness session focused on what to do immediately after a safeguarding concern is raised. Delivered through the lens of the upcoming Dental Safe Practitioner Framework—covering clinical knowledge and skills, interpersonal skills, professionalism, and self-management introduced in dental education in 2025, this session guides participants through simulated scenarios designed to test and consolidate their working knowledge of expected immediate interventions. Participants will gain confidence in recognising, responding, recording, and escalating safeguarding concerns effectively following a disclosure or suspicion.

Learning Objectives

• Understand Safeguarding Responsibilities
  Ensure all dental staff are aware of their legal, professional, and ethical duties to safeguard children, young people, and adults at risk.
• Recognise and Respond to Concerns
  Develop the skills to identify early signs of abuse, neglect, or harm, and respond effectively within the first 60 minutes of a concern arising.
• Record and Report Accurately
  Build confidence in documenting safeguarding concerns clearly, factually, and promptly, and in following correct internal and external reporting pathways, including the Designated Safeguarding Lead, local authorities, and emergency contacts.
• Promote a Culture of Safety and Partnership
  Encourage reflective practice, teamwork, and partnership working to prevent harm and ensure patients’ rights, wishes, and voices are respected.

Following the Presentation, Participants Will Be Able To:

• • Understand their legal and professional safeguarding responsibilities
  • Recognise and respond to signs or suspicions of abuse, neglect, or harm.
  • Apply immediate actions in the first 60 minutes after a safeguarding concern arises.
  • Improve record-keeping to ensure accurate and timely documentation.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of reporting pathways, including the Designated Safeguarding Lead, local authorities, charities and emergency contacts if necessary.
  • Reflect on personal and team practices to enhance safeguarding confidence and collaboration.
  • Promote a culture of safety, partnership, and respect for patients’ rights, wishes, and voices.

This talk satisfies the GDC’s learning outcome:

A– Effective communication with patients, the dental team, and others across dentistry, including when obtaining consent, dealing with complaints and raising concerns when patients are at risk.
B– Effective management of self and effective management of others or effective work with others in the dental team, in the interests of patients at all times; providing constructive leadership where appropriate.
C– Maintenance and development of knowledge and skill within your field of practice.
D– Maintenance of skills, behaviours and attitudes which maintain patient confidence in you and the dental profession and put patients’ interests first.

Jon Wheater RGN, RSCN, BSC (HONS) Child Health, MA (Education), NMC Nurse Teacher, RQF/QCF Assessor, Mental Health First Aider, Director of Education

Biography

Spanning almost four decades, Jon Wheater has held senior nursing and management roles across adult, children’s, neonatal, community, and palliative care. He is an experienced practising nurse and clinical facilitator and has held numerous named and executive safeguarding lead roles. As a senior academic, Jon has held director posts within two of England’s largest health and social care university faculties. He is passionate about partnership working to identify abuse and neglect in children, young people, and vulnerable adults, educating clinical teams on practical steps to prevent further harm and ensure the rights, wishes, and voices of those in our care are respected.