2. Professionalism and the GDC

Question 1

Role of the GDC

Answer 1

• set standards and behaviour
• Quality Assurance of Dental Education
• registration role
• Regulation of Dentistry in UK
• continued professional development and keeping up to date

Question 2

What is the Dentists Act?

Answer 2

• 1921 The Dental Board was established under GMC
• 1956 Statutory Body created (GDC)
• 1984 Dentists Act - current constitution of GDC for regulation of dentistry
• various publications underpin what we can do and training required of dentists/therapists/nurses/technicians

Question 3

9 principle standards

Answer 3

• put patients interests first
• communicate effectively with patients
• obtain valid consent
• maintain and protect patient info
• have a clear and effective complaint procedure
• work with colleagues to the patients best interest
• maintain, develop and work within your professional knowledge and skills
• raise concerns if patient at risk
• make sure personal behaviour maintains patient confidence in you and profession

Question 4

4 domains within preparing for practice

Answer 4

• clinical
• communication
• professionalism
• management and leadership

Question 5

Who monitors fitness to practice?

Answer 5

• Professional Conduct Committee of the GDC
• reference against the Standards document (professional behaviour, personal and professional conduct)
• student version of FTP

Question 6

How does fitness to practice affect us?

Answer 6

• appropriate behaviour
• maintain confidentiality
• valid consent
• respect patient and others
• communicate well
• work safely and professionally
• respect nurses and other staff
• maintain professional boundaries with patients

Question 7

What happens if standards are breached?

Answer 7

• duty of GDC to protect patients, public, maintain trust in profession and uphold standards of conduct and behaviour in profession
• leads to GDC sanctions - warning, conditions, suspension, erasure

Question 8

Who can put in claims of dental negligence?

Answer 8

• patients
• other dental staff
• NHS trusts
• police

Question 9

How common and serious is dento-legal litigation?

Answer 9

• very and it can escalate quickly costing significant money up to 70,000
• strong chance all professionals will undergo a GDC investigation at some point
• most dentists pay 4000 a year in indemnity insurance and 950 in GDC fees

Question 10

What do the health committee do?

Answer 10

• investigates health concerns that impact Fitness to Practise e.g alcohol/drink addictions, mental health issues
• can only impose conditions on registration or suspend (no erasure)

Question 11

Can we accept patient gifts?

Answer 11

• not if accepting them could affect or appear to affect professional judgement
• if the reasons for accepting could be misconstrued or impact clinical care

Question 12

How to deal with a patient trauma dumping?

Answer 12

• maintain professional distance
• remind them the relationship is professional and document the discussion

Question 13

Can you end a relationship with patients?

Answer 13

• if the decision is fair and justified, not due to a complaint against you
• write to patient telling them and reasons.
• take steps to ensure they have continuing care arrangements