What is a risk assessment?

The dental team is all too familiar with risk assessments. Dental nurses are an integral part of health and safety in the dental practice. Simply put, a risk assessment is a careful examination and evaluation of potential risk of harm that may be faced by anyone who visits the dental practice. The purpose of a risk assessment is to reduce harm and appropriately manage health and safety hazards including but not limited to accidents, injuries, faults and near misses. The risk assessment is an overview of the potential health and safety dangers and how the practice is addressing them.

Risk assessments are much more than a paper-based exercise but rather an effective tool to reduce harm and protect staff, patients and all those who visit the practice in order to have a safe environment with minimal risk of harm. It is not possible to eliminate risks, but every effort should be made to reduce these as far as possible. In addition, the assessment creates a raised awareness of the environment and creates a conscientious work environment.