eGDCReflective practice
Benefits of becoming a reflective practitioner
Our statement on the importance and benefits of being a reflective practitioner sets out our commitment to drive an open and honest culture across healthcare. In this, the dental team will feel able to reflect on their experiences in support of their own learning and development.
The statement was jointly signed by eight other healthcare professional regulators in 2019. We have worked together to set out our views and requirements for reflection. You will find advice for practitioners on how to reflect effectively, as individuals and as part of the dental team
Reflection helps you gain insight
As well as reinforcing how reflection can help you to gain insight into your whole practice, the statement highlights the direct impact it can have on improving services and patient care.
It recognises the value of reflecting as a group and in multi-professional settings to help develop ideas and bring about positive change in practice. Employers should encourage teams to make time for reflection:
- as a way of aiding development
- improving wellbeing, and
- deepening professional commitment.
Reflection is now common practice and will foster improvements in practice and services. It can demonstrate how patient feedback and complaints are listened to and acted upon in your dental practice, as well as assure patients that the dental team is continuously learning.
Remember to reflect on things that go well, as well as the things that don't go to plan.
Find out more on reflective practice
Download the joint statement on reflective practice.
Please see our series of blog posts for hints and tips on reflective practice.