Unit 302 The Impact of Health and Safety Legislation on Working Practices in the Dental Setting Assignment Brief 2026

City & Guilds Level 3 Extended Diploma in Dental Nursing 

Unit 302 Assignment Brief

Unit aim

This unit introduces learners to the health and safety legislation relevant to the dental setting. This includes the understanding of policies and procedures, and the application of safe working practices in the workplace.

Learning Outcome

The learner will:

1. Understand health and safety theory.

Assessment Criteria

The learner can:

1.1 Explain the purpose of health and safety:

a) legislation

b) policies

1.2 Define the terms:

a) Hazard

b) Risk

c) Control measure

d) Reasonably practicable

e) Near miss

1.3 Explain the purpose of risk assessments in practice.

1.4 Explain the roles of governing bodies and regulators in reducing risks to health and safety in the dental practice.

Range

(AC1.4) Governing bodies and regulators

a) National Sector Regulators: Care Quality Commission (England)

b) Health and Safety Executive

c) Office of the Chief Dental Officer

Learning Outcome

The learner will:

2. Contribute to safe working practices in the dental setting.

Assessment Criteria

2.1 The learner can:

2.2 Manage hazards by completing a risk assessment document.

2.3 Explain safe manual handling.

2.4 Participate in an activity that demonstrates understanding of manual handling.

2.5 Explain the ergonomics within a dental practice.

2.6 Describe the different types of personal protective equipment (PPE) used in the dental setting.

2.7 Summarise working practices that could harm self or others and identify safe working methods that have been put in place to meet current guidelines.

2.8 Describe how a mercury spillage is managed in the dental setting.

2.9 State the importance of using latex-free materials in the dental setting.

2.10 Explain how maintenance and auditing is carried out to ensure safe working environments.

2.11 Describe the process for reporting hazards to health and safety within the dental setting, and to whom.

2.1 Reflect on how professional actions and behaviours can reduce risks to health and safety.

Range

(AC2.2) Manual handling

a) Storage and handling of stock

b) Individuals

c) Manual handling of patients during medical emergencies

(AC2.4) Ergonomics

a) Seating

b) Positioning of patient and team

c) Instrument passing / four-handed dentistry

d) Aspirator tip placement

e) Repetitive strain injuries / Musculoskeletal disorders

(AC2.5) Personal protective equipment (PPE)

a) Employee PPE

b) Patient PPE

(AC2.6) Working practices

a) working with hazardous substances

b) working with and storing mercury

c) working with radiation

d) working with utilities:
i. electricity
ii. gas leaks
iii. flooding

e) fire safety

f) working with pressure vessels

g) infection control:

i. use of barrier techniques including zoning
ii. maintenance of water lines (Biofilm) (Legionella)
iii. National colour-coding system for cleaning of areas
iv. cross contamination between zones
v. working with sharps (handling and disposal)
vi. disposal of waste (eg design of waste containers)
vii. uniform during and outside of clinical hours

(AC2.9) Maintenance and auditing of:

a) Oxygen cylinders
b) Pressure vessels
c) Emergency drug checks
d) Fire drills
e) Legionella testing

(AC2.11) Actions and behaviours

a) Fitness to Practise
b) Awareness of own health and wellbeing (physical and mental health)
c) Personal hygiene
d) Personal presentation
e) Training

Learning Outcome

The learner will:

3. Understand organisational and legal requirements for health and safety within the dental setting.

Assessment Criteria

The learner can:

3.1 Summarise the purpose of different legal requirements for health and safety in a dental setting.

3.2 Identify the required vaccinations for dental nurses and their importance.

3.3 Explain the consequences if health and safety guidance is not followed.

Range

(AC3.1) Legal requirements

1. Health & Safety at Work Act
2. Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations
3. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
4. The current Health Technical Memoranda (HTM 07-01) on Management and Disposal of Healthcare Waste
5. The current Health Technical Memoranda (HTM 01-05) on Decontamination in Primary Care Dental Practices
6. The current Health Technical Memoranda (HTM 03-01) on Heating and Ventilation of Health Sector Buildings
7. The current Ionising Radiations Regulations
8. The current Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposures) Regulations
9. Local Rules
10. Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) regulations
11. The current pressure vessel regulations
12. The current regulatory standards for medical devices, equipment and materials (eg CE/UKCA mark)
13. Public liability insurance
14. Current regulations in reporting of injuries, diseases, dangerous occurrences (eg RIDDOR)

(AC3.3) Consequences to:

1. Self
2. Practice
3. Patients
4. Environment

Learning Outcome

The learner will:

4. Be able to work safely to protect self, team, and patients.

Assessment Criteria

The learner can:

4.1 Carry out work in accordance with organisational and legal requirements and manufacturer’s instructions.

4.2 Behave in a way that does not endanger the health and safety of self and others in the dental setting.

4.3 Ensure personal presentation and PPE protects the health and safety of self and others within the dental setting.

4.4 Dispose of waste in a safe manner according to legal and regulatory requirements.

Range

(AC4.1) Organisational and legal requirements

1. Health & Safety at Work Act (including use of Personal Protective Equipment)
2. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
3. Environmental Protection Act and the current Health Technical Memoranda (HTM 07-01) on Management and Disposal of Healthcare Waste
4. Ionising Radiations Regulations, Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposures) Regulations and Local Rules
5. Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations
6. The current Health Technical Memoranda (HTM 01-05) on Decontamination in Primary Care Dental Practices

(AC4.3) Personal presentation

1. appropriate presentation
2. use and reuse / disposal of personal protective equipment for patients and staff
3. donning and doffing procedures, in line with current guidelines
4. use of clothing and accessories that are suitable to the workplace

(AC4.4) Waste

1. Non-hazardous
2. Hazardous
3. Legal and regulatory requirements: The current Health Technical Memoranda (HTM 07-01) on Management and Disposal of Healthcare Waste

Unit 302 The impact of health and safety legislation on working practices in the dental setting

Supporting Information

Evidence requirements:

Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 3 – Centres may use professional discussion, assessor devised questions, expert witness testimonies, outcomes of research-based activities, assignments, work products and reflective accounts.

Learning Outcome 4 – minimum of three observations, evidence to be gathered holistically on separate occasions (simulation is not allowed).

A minimum of two must be carried out by the assessor. The remainder may be carried out by an Expert Witness.

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