Ethics

Question 1

Definition of negligence (2)

Answer 1

Omission to do something which a reasonable practitioner would do or doing something which a reasonable practitioner would not do

Question 2

How long after treatment can claims be prosecuted?

Answer 2

3 years

Question 3

How long should records be kept (2)

Answer 3

As long as possible (indefinitely), but a minimum of 11 years, or if they are a child’s records, until that child is 25 years old

Question 4

How is clinical negligence established? (4)

Answer 4

When a dentist fails to meet the standards as follows: there is a usual and normal practice; the dentist did not adopt it; the course the dentist adopted is one which no reasonable practitioner would have taken. Harm that results from dental treatment is negligent if the dentist’s practice fails to meet the standard of ordinary care

Question 5

A clinical negligence claim is upheld if (4)

Answer 5

The dentist owed a duty of care (usually automatic).
The duty was breached (standard of care wasn’t met).
That breach caused/materially contributed to damage (causation).
This damage was reasonably foreseeable and had negative consequences and effects

Question 6

Record-keeping must be (4)

Answer 6

Accurate, detailed, up-to-date and an ordinary practitioner must be able to understand them

Question 7

Consent must be (6)

Answer 7

Valid
With capacity
Informed
Voluntary
Not coerced
Not manipulated

Question 8

Capacity involves the ability to:(5)

Answer 8

Act (decide)
Make a reasoned decision
Communicate a decision
Understand a decision
Retain the memory of a decision

Question 9

Informed consent requires (3)

Answer 9

Sufficient information to be communicated
Specific questions to be answered honestly
Information documented

Question 10

Definition of material risks

Answer 10

Risks/information that a reasonable person would be likely to attach significance to when warned of them

Question 11

Modes of obtaining consent (2)

Answer 11

Implied (oral/verbal for minor procedures)

Explicit (written - for GA)

Question 12

Types of Power of Attorney (4)

Answer 12

Welfare (care/needs of adult)
Continuing (financial/property)
Intervention order (one-off decision when no PoA)
Guardship order (continuous management of welfare/financial affairs when no PoA)

Question 13

Questions to ask when considering consent (2)

Answer 13

Can I justify this?

Could I be criticised for this?

Question 14

Risk communication should reflect (3)

Answer 14

Likelihood (probability)
Severity
Significance (material risk) to the individual