Time to break the silence

Ayesha Mir discusses the issues around harassment and bullying in dentistry. Aim: For dental nurses to have a better understanding of harassment and bullying within the dental practice, and to support dental nurses in recognising, addressing, and preventing inappropriate behaviours. Objectives: Recognise different forms of harassment and bullying in dental practices, including subtle, emotional, and non-verbal behaviours. Understand the impact of harassment on staff wellbeing, retention, and patient care. Identify appropriate steps for raising concerns, whistleblowing, and complaint handling. Reflect on the importance of leadership, culture, and EDI (equality, diversity, inclusion) in tackling bullying.