OSCE Practice – Maintaining Professional Boundaries
Practise professionalism, communication, and ethical decision-making aligned with NEBDN OSCE expectations.
Scenario
You are a dental nurse working in a general dental practice.
A patient you have seen several times says:
“You are always so nice. Are you on social media? Maybe we could stay in touch.”
The patient later jokes:
“You seem more like a friend than my dental nurse!”
You are the dental nurse responding professionally while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Your Task
In this OSCE scenario, you are expected to respond professionally while maintaining appropriate boundaries with a patient.
You should be able to:
- Maintain professional boundaries
- Respond respectfully and professionally
- Communicate appropriately with patients
- Recognise situations that may blur boundaries
- Maintain professionalism on social media
- Balance friendliness with professionalism
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This Scenario Assesses
This station tests important professionalism, ethics, and communication skills expected of a dental nurse, including:
- Confidentiality awareness
- Professional conduct
- Information governance awareness
- Documentation skills
- Professional judgement
- Escalation procedures
This scenario also develops confidence in recognising poor professional behaviour and responding appropriately in shared practice areas.
Model Answer / Ideal Response
A strong response should be calm, professional, and respectful while maintaining confidentiality.
Step 1 — Acknowledge the Patient Politely
Respond warmly but professionally.
Example:
“Thank you, that is very kind of you.”
Professionalism does not mean being unfriendly.
Step 2 — Maintain Appropriate Boundaries
Where appropriate:
- Avoid sharing personal social media
- Avoid personal contact details
- Keep relationships professional
Example:
“I like to keep professional boundaries at work.”
Remain polite and respectful.
Step 3 — Redirect the Conversation Professionally
If personal questions continue:
- Redirect the conversation gently
- Focus on patient care
- Avoid oversharing personal information
Professional communication should remain patient-focused.
Step 4 — Maintain Professionalism
Remember:
- Friendly ≠ personal friendship
- Warm communication is appropriate
- Boundaries support trust and professionalism
Professional relationships should remain appropriate.
Step 5 — Escalate if Needed
If behaviour becomes inappropriate or persistent:
- Maintain professionalism
- Seek support appropriately if required
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Sharing personal social media
- Giving personal phone numbers
- Becoming overly personal
- Being rude or dismissive
- Ignoring uncomfortable situations
- Blurring professional boundaries
Key Learning Points
- Professional boundaries support trust
- Dental nurses can be friendly and professional
- Patient relationships should remain appropriate
- Social media professionalism matters
- Respectful communication helps maintain boundaries