Addressing violence towards dentists.  

Violent behaviour from patients doesn't exist in a vacuum. Long waiting times, closed patient lists, and limited NHS dental access are creating frustration and anxiety among patients. While not an excuse, these pressures are known contributors to hostile behaviour. 

 In fact, the Dental Protection survey found 64% of dentists who experienced aggressive behaviour said it was due to patients' frustration over long wait times for appointments. 

For dentists, this abuse can have a profound effect: 58% of dentists who experienced or saw abuse told Dental Protection it affected their mental health.  

The BDA also found that practitioners often experience loss of confidence, hesitation in clinical judgement and burnout following violent encounters. This not only affects dentists personally but has implications for treatment outcomes and the overall patient experience, fuelling a cycle of dissatisfaction and further frustration. 

While the broader causes of aggressive patient behaviour require long-term, systemic improvements, dental practices can introduce effective safety measures to protect their teams now.  

One of the most effective and discrete solutions available to dentists is a personal safety alarm like the Pinpoint P2 System. Our Personal Infrared Transmitters (PIT) are lightweight, wearable alarms that are designed to support staff working in high-risk settings where staff may be require an immediate response.  

The Pinpoint P2 PIT has two levels of alert: Emergency and Assistance.  

With the emergency alert, whether a receptionist is dealing with an angry patient at the desk or a dentist has an aggressive patient (or relative) in the room, they can discreetly activate the alarm by pulling the PIT from its retaining pin and call for help. 

Pulling the PIT body from its pin activates the emergency alarm. 

The assistance alert allows staff to call for help but notes that it is not urgent. This is useful in instances where a patient is upset or anxious and the dentist could use help deescalating the situation before it becomes a serious issue, or even something as simple as the receptionist requesting another set of hands at the desk during busy periods. The assistance alarm is raised by pressing a button on the PIT device. 

The assistance alarm is triggered by pressing a button on the bottom of the PIT. 

We also offer a P2 Badge PIT, which is concealed within a standard ID badge holder for even more discretion. These also have both emergency and assistance alert levels, triggered at the push of a button on the back of the device.  

When triggered, the PITs instantly notify colleagues via display units, mobile apps and pagers of the location and nature of the call so they can quickly intervene.  

Personal safety alarms are powerful to use but work best when combined with wider operational strategies. For example, adopting a zero-tolerance policy which sets clear expectations for patient behaviour and ensures that dental staff can refuse care or deregister violent or abusive patients. Putting up clear signage communicating behavioural expectations and training staff in de-escalation techniques will also help create a calmer environment.  

While preventative and expectation-setting signage is important, it may not completely remove the threat. That's when Pinpoint's personal safety alarm system come in - sending a request for help in milliseconds, protecting staff from harm.  

For some patients, dentist visits can be stressful. But that doesn't mean a dental practice should be a place of aggression or that staff should face unnecessary risks. As violence and aggression continue to rise across the healthcare sector, practices must be proactive about safeguarding their teams.  

The Pinpoint P2 System gives dental teams the confidence that help is always within reach, providing instant, discreet support during both routine and emergency situations. It's a fast, reliable solution for the challenges facing dental practices today.