Children In Society - Rights And Repssnsibilities

Question 1

Why is it important for us as dentists to identify problems in children

Answer 1

We are the only practitioners who see them regularly

Question 2

Our duty as dentists

Answer 2

• treat children’s teeth
• manage children’s oral health
• support children’s general heath
• advocate for children rights

Question 3

UN convention on the right of a child

Answer 3

• sets out children’s rights over 54 articles
  Passed 1989

4 core principles
- non discrimination
- devotion to the best interests of the child
- the right to life, survival and development
- respect for the views of the child

Question 4

3 types of rights

Answer 4

Protection, participation, provision

Question 5

Rights of protection

Answer 5

• right to life
• right not to be separated from parents (unless harms child)
• right to special protection (adoption , fostering if deprived of family)

Right to be protected from
- abuse / sexual exploitation
- economic exploitation
- exposure to illicit drugs

Question 6

European social rights committee

Answer 6

Article 19 - prohibition in legislation against any form of violence against children

Question 7

General dental council -our professional responsibility

Answer 7

• must raise any concerns about possible abuse or neglect of children or vulnerable adults
• if you make a professional judgement and decide not to share your concern with the appropriate authority, you must be able to justify how you came to this decision

Question 8

Rights of provision

Answer 8

• provide to the highest standard of healthcare
• provide to a standard adequate for the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development

Question 9

Rights of participation

Answer 9

Children have the right to participate in treatment decisions

Convention of the right of the child lists these:
- to express their views freely (article 12-13)
- to have access to info (article 23)

Question 10

Implications
- how to involve child as well as parent

Answer 10

-obligation to explore with the child their level of understanding of any proposed treatment
- a need to work collaboratively with both children’s and parents
- the child has the right to be listened to and taken seriously

Question 11

Consent

Answer 11

• any child can give consent if they are competent

Competence
- ability to comprehend and retain info especially for an against the intervention
AND
- use and weight the info in the decision making process

Question 12

Consent (legal)

Answer 12

Children under 16
- not legally competent
BUT
- court states will be competent if they have sufficient understanding and intelligence

Gillick / Fraser competence

Best practice
- involve parents

Question 13

Restraint - the uk perspective

Answer 13

GDC standards

• no justification for physical restraint, unless most exceptional circumstances

Dentist should consider ceasing treatment

Question 14

How does UNCRC fit into the law on children

Answer 14

• law increasingly embodies principles of children’s rights
• 1998 human rights acts covers children
• case law covers consent and confidentiality

Question 15

National policies for children

Answer 15

• every child matters 2004 - reform and improve children care and protect them from neglect

Outcomes
- being healthy
- staying safe
- enjoying and achieving

Question 16

Article 3 - UN convention on the right of a chil

Answer 16

• bets interest of child shall always be the primary consideration