An evaluation study of a clinical supervision programme

This article presents the implementation and evaluation of clinical supervision in the Community Dental Service. The aim is to describe how clinical supervision (CS) was implemented for dental nurses, community dentists and dental therapists and to present the findings of an evaluative research study that was carried out into clinical supervision. No studies were found in the literature related to CS for dental practitioners.

Clinical supervision (CS) has various definitions, functions and modes of delivery and is becoming part of the professional practice of most healthcare professionals. The Royal College of Nursing defines clinical supervision as an activity that brings skilled supervisors and practitioners together in order to reflect upon their practice. The aim of CS is to identify solutions to problems, improve practice and increase understanding of professional issues (United Kingdom Central Council (UKCC), 1996).