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A pioneering Hertfordshire-based project which supports highly anxious children to access safe dental care has been selected as a finalist in a national award.

It was announced yesterday (Monday 8 June) that Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust’s Dental Nurse-Led Anxious Child Pathway, delivered through the trust’s Special Care Dental Service, has been shortlisted in the Nursing-Led Patient Safety Initiative of the Year category at the HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2026.

The pathway supports highly anxious children, including those with autism, sensory processing disorders and complex behavioural needs to access safe dental care, reducing the number of inappropriate referrals to oral surgery and the need for dental general anaesthetic. 

Introduced in October 2024 and now fully embedded across the service, it uses dental nurse-led telephone triage, CBT-informed acclimatisation and trauma-informed support to reduce anxiety, improve access and help children receive the right care in the right place at the right time. 

HCT Chair, Dr Nicolas Small, said “Being shortlisted for a national HSJ Patient Safety Award is an important recognition of the dedication, compassion and innovation of the dental nursing team behind the pathway, and of the positive difference they are making for children and families across Hertfordshire. 

“The recognition also highlights the potential for this model to be adopted more widely to improve care for anxious children in community dental services.” 

The pathway was developed in response to a recognised gap in local anxiety management provision for children. 

Feedback from families shows that more than 90% of anxious children reported reduced anxiety following dental nurse-led acclimatisation, while over 95% of families rated their experience 4 or 5 out of 5. The model has also helped reduce the risk of deterioration, emergency presentations and avoidable hospital-based care. 

The HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2026 recognise the critical work being done to address the complexities of delivering safe care amidst times of significant change and long-standing pressures. 

Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 28 September 2026 at The Telford International Centre. The event shines a light on outstanding teams who are improving patient safety across health and care.