Principle 1 - Put Patients' Interests First

Question 1

What do patients expect? (9)

Answer 1

• to be listened to and have their preferences and
  concerns taken into account
• To be treated as individuals and have their cultures
  and values respected
• That all members of the dental team will be honest
  and act with integrity
• That all aspects of their health and well-being will
  be considered and they will receive dental care that
  is appropriate for them
• To be treated in a clean and safe environment
• That reasonable adjustments will be made for
  any disabilities
• That their interests will be put before financial gain
  and business need
• Redress if they suffer harm during dental treatment
• That their dental pain and anxiety will be managed
  appropriately

Question 2

How must you demonstrate listening to your patients? (1.1) (3)

Answer 2

• You must discuss treatment options with patients
• Listen carefully to what they say
• Give them an opportunity to have a discussion and to ask questions

Question 3

How must you demonstrate treating every patient with dignity and respect at all times (1.2)? (4)

Answer 3

• You should be aware of tone of voice and body language
• Take patients’ preferences into account, be sensitive to their individual needs and values
• Treat pts with kindness and compassion
• Manage patients’ dental pain and anxiety appropriately

Question 4

How do you demonstrate being honest and act with integrity (1.3)? (3)

Answer 4

• Always acting honestly and fairly in your dealings with pts, public and colleagues. This applies to any business or education activities and professional dealings.
• Do not bring the profession into disrepute
• Any advertising, promotional material or other information is accurate and not misleading, complies with the GDCs guidance on ethical advertising

Question 5

How do you demonstrate taking a holistic and preventative approach to patient care which is appropriate to the individual patient (1.4)? (5)

Answer 5

• Provide patients with treatment that is in their best interests
• Provide appropriate oral health advice
• Follow clinical guidelines relevant to their situation
• Balance oral health needs with patients desired outcomes
• If patients desired outcome is not achievable or is not in the best interests of their oral health, you must explain risks, benefits and likely outcomes to help them to make a decision

Question 6

What is a holistic approach to patient care (1.4)? (1+4)

Answer 6

A holistic approach means you must take account of patients’:
- Overall health
- Psychological and social needs
- Long term oral health needs
- Patients desired outcomes

Question 7

How do you achieve treating patients in a hygienic and safe environment (1.5)? (1+3, 1+5, 3)

Answer 7

You must find out and follow laws and regulations which apply to:
— Your clinical practice
— Your premises
— Your obligations as an employer
This will include (but not limited to) legislation relating to:
— The disposal of clinical and other hazardous waste
— Radiography
— Health and safety
— Decontamination
— Medical devices
- Make sure you have all necessary vaccinations and follow guidance related to blood-borne viruses
- Follow guidance on Medical Emergencies and training updates issued by Resuscitation Council (UK)
- You must record all patient safety incidents and report them promptly to the appropriate national body

Question 8

What must you not discriminate against patients on the grounds of (1.6.1)? (9)

Answer 8

– Age
– Disability
– Gender reassignment
– Marriage and civil partnership
– Pregnancy and maternity
– Race
– Religion and belief
– Sex
– Sexual orientation

Question 9

What reasons must you also ensure you do not discriminate against patients or groups of patients for (1.6.1)? (5)

Answer 9

– Nationality
– Special Needs
– Health
– Lifestyle
– Any other consideration

Question 10

What legislation should you adhere to when treating patients fairly, as individual and without discrimination (1.6.2)? (1)

Answer 10

You must be aware of and adhere to all your responsibilities as set out in relevant equalities legislation

Question 11

How should you approach treatment to patients’ with disabilities, what should you do if you cannot make reasonable adjustments (1.6.3)? (3)

Answer 11

• Consider patients’ disabilities
• Make reasonable adjustments to allow them to receive care which meets their needs
• If you cannot make reasonable adjustments to treat and patient safely, you should consider referring them to a colleague

Question 12

How must you approach your own personal beliefs with regards to patients (1.6.4)? (1)

Answer 12

You must not express your personal beliefs (including political religious or moral beliefs) to patients in any way that exploits their vulnerability or could cause them distress

Question 13

How must you put your patients’ interests first (1.7)?

Answer 13

You must always put your patients’ interests before any finacial, personal or other gain

Question 14

How must you demostrate putting the patients’ best interest first while working in a practice that provides both NHS and private treatment (1.7.2)? (4)

Answer 14

• You must make clear to your patients which treatments can be provided under the NHS and which can only be provided on a private basis
• You must not mislead patients into believing that treatments which are available on the NHS can only be provided privately
• If you work in a purely private practice you should make sure that patients know this before they attend for treatment
• You must not pressurise pts into having private treatment if it is available to them under the NHS and they would prefer to have it under the NHS