OSCE Practice – Raising a Concern About Unsafe Practice
Practise professionalism, communication, and ethical decision-making aligned with NEBDN OSCE expectations.
Scenario
You are a dental nurse working in a general dental practice.
You notice a member of staff repeatedly missing important infection prevention steps between patients. On one occasion, you observe surfaces not being cleaned properly before the next patient enters.
The staff member says:
“We are really busy today. It will be fine.”
You are the dental nurse recognising a possible patient safety concern and responding professionally.
Your Task
In this OSCE scenario, you are expected to recognise a possible patient safety concern and respond professionally while maintaining appropriate standards.
You should be able to:
- Recognise unsafe practice
- Prioritise patient safety
- Raise concerns professionally
- Understand appropriate escalation
- Maintain professionalism under pressure
- Demonstrate professional accountability
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This Scenario Assesses
This station tests important professionalism, ethics, and patient safety responsibilities expected of a dental nurse, including:
- Patient safety awareness
- Professional accountability
- Escalation procedures
- Communication skills
- Infection prevention professionalism
- Professional judgement
This scenario also develops confidence in speaking up appropriately when professional standards may not be followed.
Model Answer / Ideal Response
A strong response should be calm, professional, and respectful while maintaining confidentiality.
Step 1 — Recognise the Concern
Be aware of situations where:
- Infection prevention standards are missed
- Patient safety may be affected
- Unsafe shortcuts are taken
Professional judgement is important.
Step 2 — Remain Professional
Avoid:
- Gossiping with colleagues
- Public criticism
- Emotional confrontation
Professional communication should remain respectful.
Step 3 — Focus on Patient Safety
Patient safety should remain the priority.
Example:
“I am concerned because infection prevention standards are important for patient safety.”
Remain calm and professional.
Step 4 — Raise Concerns Appropriately
If concerns continue:
- Follow practice procedures
- Escalate professionally
- Inform the appropriate team member
Unsafe practice concerns should be raised appropriately.
Step 5 — Maintain Professional Accountability
Remember:
- Being busy should not compromise standards
- Speaking up supports patient safety
- Professional responsibility applies to the whole dental team
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring unsafe practice
- Gossiping with colleagues
- Publicly embarrassing staff
- Becoming confrontational
- Posting concerns online
- Assuming someone else will deal with it
Key Learning Points
- Patient safety is a shared responsibility
- Unsafe practice concerns should be raised appropriately
- Professional communication matters
- Infection prevention standards should remain consistent
- Dental nurses have a duty to act professionally