gdc principles

Question 1

what is the gdc

Answer 1

this is an organisation that regulates the dentists across the uk. they are in charge of maintaining good quality of care and dealing with any issues raised with mal practice in dentistry

Question 2

what are the principles of the GDC

Answer 2

• put the patients interests first
• communicate effectively with the patients
• obtain valid consent
• maintain and protect patients information
• have a clear and effective complaints procedure
• work with colleagues in a way that is in the patients best interests
• maintain, develop, and work within your professional knowledge and skills
• raise concerns if patients are at risk
• make sure your personal behaviour maintains patients confidence in you and the dental profession

Question 3

what do patients expect from a dentist

Answer 3

• to be listened to and have their preferences and concerns taken into account
• to be treated and respected as individuals
• to act with honesty and integrity
• to be treated in a clean and safe environment
• interests put before financial gain

Question 4

how can you demonstrate to your patients that you are listenting to them

Answer 4

dicuss treatment options with them
listen carefully to them
give them opportunity to discussion and to ask questions

Question 5

How must you demonstrate treating every patient with dignity and respect at all times

Answer 5

• 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 6

How do you demonstrate being honest and act with integrity

Answer 6

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 7

How do you demonstrate taking a holistic and preventative approach to patient care which is appropriate to the individual patient

Answer 7

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 8

What is a holistic approach to patient care

Answer 8

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 9

How do you achieve treating patients in a hygienic and safe environment

Answer 9

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 10

What must you not discriminate against patients on the grounds of

Answer 10

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

Question 11

What reasons must you also ensure you do not discriminate against patients or groups of patients for

Answer 11

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

Question 12

ow should you approach treatment to patients’ with disabilities, what should you do if you cannot make reasonable adjustments

Answer 12

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 13

How must you approach your own personal beliefs with regards to patients

Answer 13

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 distres

Question 14

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

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
ou 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

Question 15

How should you react if a patient tries to give you gifts, payments or hospitality

Answer 15

You must refuse any gifts, payment or hospitality if accepting them could affect, or could appear to affect, your professional judgement

Question 16

what does it mean to communicate effectively with patients

Answer 16

• listen, consideration time, individual views and communication needs into account
• Recognise and promote patients’ decision making for their health priorities and care
• Give patients all information they need so that they can make informed decisions
• Give patients clear information about costs

Question 17

What can patients expect with regards to communication within the dental profession?

Answer 17

To receive full, clear and accurate info that they can understand before, during and after treatment to allow informed decisions
A clear explanation of the treatment, possible outcomes and what they can expect
To know how much treatment will cost before it starts, told any changes
To know the names of those providing their care

Question 18

How must you give patients the information they need so they can make informed decisions?

Answer 18

Introduce yourself and explain your role (2.3.1)
Include other members of the team who may have valuable knowledge about the patients’ backgrounds or concerns (2.3.2)
Recognise patients’ communication difficulties and meet their needs: (2.3.3)
Do not use professional jargon and acronyms
Using an interpreter for patients whose first language is not english
Suggest pt bring someone with them who can use sign language
Providing an induction loop to help pts who wear hearing aids

Question 19

what does it meant to obtain valid consent

Answer 19

Obtain valid consent before starting treatment, explaining all the relevant options and the possible costs
Make sure that patients (or their representatives) understand the decisions they are being asked to make
Make sure that the patient’s consent remains valid at each stage of investigation or treatment

Question 20

What do patinents expect with regards to principle four

Answer 20

Their records to be up to date, complete, clear, accurate and legible
Their personal details to be kept confidential
To be able to access their dental records
Their records to be stored securely

Question 21

What are the five standards within prinicple four?

Answer 21

4.1 Make and keep contemporaneous, complete and accurate patient records
4.2 Protect the confidentiality of patients’ information and only use it for which it was given
4.3 Only release a patient’s information without thier permission in exceptional circumstances
4.4 Ensure that patients can have access to their records
4.5 Keep patients’ inofrmation secure at all times, whether your records are held on paper or electronically

Question 22

What three main points must you adhere to in principle five? (complaints procedure)

Answer 22

5.1 Make sure that there is an effective complaints procedure readily available for patients to use, and follow that procedure at all times
5.2 Respect a patient’s right to complain
5.3 Give patients who complain a prompt and constructive response

Question 23

What are the six core principles of Principle Six? (work with colleagues in a way that is in patients best interest)

Answer 23

6.1 Work effectively with your colleagues and contribute to good teamwork
6.2 Be appropriately supported when treating patients
6.3 Delegate and refer appropriately and effectively
6.4 Only accept a referral or delegation if you are trained and competent to carry out the treatment and you believe that what you are being asked to do is appropriate for the patient
6.5 Communicate clearly and effectively with other team members and colleagues in the interests of patients
6.6 Demonstrate effective management and leadership skills if you manage a team

Question 24

What are the three core principles of Principle Seven? (maintain and work with your professional knowledge and skills)

Answer 24

7.1 Provide good quality care based on current evidence and authoritative guidance
7.2 Work within your knowledge, skills, professional competence and abilities
7.3 Update and develop your professional knowledge and skills throughout your working life

Question 25

What are the five core principles of Principle Eight (raise concerns if patients are at risk)

Answer 25

8.1 Always put patients’ safety first
8.2 Act promptly if patients or colleagues are at risk and take measures to protect them
8.3 Make sure if you employ, manage or lead a team that you encourage and support a culture where staff can raise concerns openly and without fear of reprisal
8.4 Make sure if you employ, manage or lead a team that there is an effective procedure in place for raising concerns, that the procedure is readily available to all staff and that it is followed at all times
8.5 Take appropriate action if you have concerns about the possible abuse of children or vulnerable adults

Question 26

what is principle nine

Answer 26

Make sure your personal behaviour maintains patients’ confidence in you and the dental profession