Equality and Diversity

Question 1

Which part of the GDC standards does equality relate to?

Answer 1

1.9.1

Question 2

What is the difference between equality and equity?

Answer 2

Equality- legal term

Equity- ethical term

Question 3

What are the aspects of the equality act 2010 which impact on dentistry?

Answer 3

– fairness of access to dental services for all patients
– responsibilities of dentists as employers in
discrimination against patients by members of staff
– responsibilities of dentists as employers in
discrimination against members of staff by patients
– discrimination by dentists as employers against members of staff

Question 4

What is diversity?

Answer 4

Acknowledgement/acceptance of alterity among people in terms of their community, culture, beliefs, life experiences, individuality

Question 5

What is equality?

Answer 5

Equality is to do with fairness of opportunity and observing the rights of people so that their alterity is not discriminated against

Question 6

What is equity?

Answer 6

Treating comparable people equally, and people who are unequal in a way that will favour them (give them help based off their needs

 Treating people fairly doesn’t mean everyone is treated the same
 Results in equality of outcome- differs from equality of opportunity

Question 7

Explain the difference principle?

Answer 7

Justice necessitates that inequalities in society are met with asymmetrical measures in the form of counter- inequalities so as to achieve equity

Question 8

What are the aspects in Allport’s scale of prejudice?

Answer 8

Anti-locution- negative things said about people

Avoidance- taking nothing to do with those people

Discrimination- taking action to affect people unfairly due to prejudice

Violence- if discrimination goes unchecked (equality law attacks things at level of discrimination to prevent this happening)

Murder?

Question 9

What are the aspects of the racism iceberg?

Answer 9

Underlying prejudice

Attribution of fixed traits- attach negative stereotypes (making all people the same)

Notions of superiority and inferiority- people made to feel inferior due to prejudice

Subtle action- thought becomes behaviour

Overt racism

Question 10

What is meant by protected characteristic?

Answer 10

Characteristic that people cannot be discriminated against for possessing

Question 11

What are the protected characteristic as per equality act 2010?

Answer 11

1. Age- unlawful to discriminate against elderly
2. Disability
3. Gender reassignment (does this cover discrimination against non-binary/trans people?)
4. Marriage and civil partnership- particularly in employment (lack of promotion prospects/opportunities due to home life/relationships)
5. Pregnancy/maternity
6. Race and ethnicity
7. Religion and Belief
8. Sex
9. Sexual orientation

Question 12

Which conditions are deemed a disability in all cases and should not be discriminated against as per equality act 2010?

Answer 12

Cancer

HIV infection

Multiple sclerosis

Question 13

What is the definition of a disabled person as per the equality act 2010?

Answer 13

A physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities

Question 14

What is important to remember about impairment?

Answer 14

• Is determined by the effect on the person
• Need not be linked to medical illness
• Does not require a known cause
• May not be particularly visible
• Can be fluctuating, recurring, or progressive
• The law also applies to discrimination on the basis of past impairment

Question 15

What is direct discrimination?

Answer 15

Treating people less favourably because of a protected characteristic

Question 16

What is indirect discrimination?

Answer 16

Putting people with a protected characteristic at an unfair disadvantage

Question 17

What is associative discrimination?

Answer 17

You get discriminatory treatment due to a friend’s/other’s protected characteristic

Question 18

What is perceived discrimination?

Answer 18

When it is believed that a person has a protected characteristic and they are discirmaited against because of it (even although they may not have this)

Question 19

What is harassment?

Answer 19

Violating a person’s dignity, or creating a degrading, humiliating, hostile, intimidating, or offensive environment

Question 20

What is victimisation?

Answer 20

Detriment to a person who is making use of the Equality Act 2010 or is thought to be doing so

i.e bad treatment of people raising concerns, complaints, or taking employer to employment tribunal

Question 21

What is instruction to discriminate?

Answer 21

When one person gets someone to carry out discriminatory behaviour on their behalf

Question 22

What are the key points of the Equality act for dental business owners to know?

Answer 22

1. The Equality Act 2010 imposes an obligation to ensure that pregnant women are not discriminated against
2. Excluding patients from your practice based on their protected characteristics is direct discrimination, and asking a receptionist to turn them away is instruction to discriminate
3. The Act allows employees to bring a claim against dentists for the actions of a third party (e.g. something a patient does). A sign detailing zero tolerance of any harassment of staff could be a defence
4. Changing our usual practice unjustifiably for patients with a protected characteristic could be direct discrimination, and placing restrictions may be indirect discrimination

Question 23

Why is a written equal opportunities policy required in dentistry for practice owners?

Answer 23

Without a written Equal Opportunities Policy, it is virtually impossible to defend a claim against discrimination, regardless of what took place, due to established precedent

-> Staff must be trained in the content of this Policy, as there is no defence if it is not followed or not known about