GDC Standards for the Dental Team Flashcards
What are the nine key GDC principles that dentists must adhere to?
- Put patients’ interests first
- Communicate effectively with 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 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
Who does “Standards for the Dental Team” apply to?
- dentists
- dental nurses
- hygienists
- therapists
- orthodontic therapists
- dental technicians
In reference to GDC Principle 1 (put patients interests first), what aspects make up this principle?
- listen to your patients
- treat patients with dignity and respect (ALL TIMES)
- be honest and act with integrity
- take holistic and preventative approach to patient care which is appropriate to the individual patient
- treat pts in a hygienic & safe environment
- treat patients fairly, as individuals and without discrimination
- put pts interests before your own/colleagues/business
- have appropriate arrangements in place for patients to seek compensation if they suffer harm
- find out about laws and regulations that affect your work & follow them
In reference to GDC Principle 2 (communicate effectively with patients), what aspects make up this principle?
- listen to patients, give them time to consider information & take individual views and communication needs into account
- recognise & promote patients rights to and responsibilities for making decisions about their health priorities and care
- give patients the information they need, in a way they can understand, so they can make informed decisions
- be clear about costs
In reference to GDC Principle 3 (obtain valid consent), what aspects make up this principle?
- obtain valid consent before starting treatment, explaining options & costs
- make sure patients (or representatives) understand the decisions they are being asked to make
- make sure that pts consent remains valid at each stage of investigation/treatment
In reference to GDC Principle 4 (maintain and protect patients information), what aspects make up this principle?
- make and keep contemporaneous, complete and accurate pt records
- protect the confidentiality of pt information & only use if for the purpose it was given
- only release a patients information without their permission in exceptional circumstances
- ensure pts have access to their records
- keep pt info secure at all times
In reference to GDC Principle 5 (have a clear and effective complaints procedure), what aspects make up this principle?
- make sure there is an effective complaints procedure readily available for pts to use & follow this procedure at all times
- respect a pts right to complain
- give patients who complain a prompt and constructive response
In reference to GDC Principle 6 (work with colleagues in a way that is in patients best interests), what aspects make up this principle?
- work effectively in a team
- be appropriately supported when treating pts
- delegate and refer appropriately & effectively
- only accept a referral/delegation if you are trained & competent & you agree with requested tx
- communicate clearly & effectively with other team members and colleagues in the interests of patients
- demonstrate effective management & leadership skills if you manage a team
In reference to GDC Principle 7 (maintain, develop and work within you professional knowledge and skills), what aspects make up this principle?
- provide good quality care based on current evidence and authoritative guidance
- work within your knowledge, skills, professional competence and abilities
- update and develop your professional knowledge and skills throughout your working
In reference to GDC Principle 8 (raise concerns if patients are at risk), what aspects make up this principle?
- always put pt safety first
- act promptly if pts or colleagues are at risk and take measures to protect them
- make sure you encourage and support a culture where staff can raise concerns openly & without feat of reprisal
- make sure there is an effective procedure for raising concerns
- take appropriate action if you have concerns about the possible abuse of children or vulnerable adults
In reference to GDC Principle 9 (make sure your personal behaviour maintains patients’ confidence in you and the dental profession), what aspects make up this principle?
- ensure that your conduct [in work + life] justifies patients’ trust in you & the publics trust in the profession
- protect pts and colleagues from risk posed by your health, conduct or performance
- inform GDC if you are subject to criminal proceedings
- co-operate with any relevant formal or informal inquiry and give full & truthful information
What is meant by ‘take a holistic approach’ to patient healthcare?
Take account of the patients overall health, their psychological and social needs, their long term oral health needs and their desired outcomes
What are the characteristics that are protected against discrimination according to the GDC?
- age
- disability
- sex
- sexual orientation
- pregnancy and maternity
- gender reassignment
- marriage and civil partnership
- religion or belief
- race
The GDC states that “ You must have appropriate arrangements in place for patients to seek compensation if they have suffered harm”, what is meant by this?
- Must have appropriate insurance or indemnity in place so pts can claim compensation if they are entitled
- You must contact the provider as soon as possible when a claim is made
According to the GDC Standards for the Dental Team document, what should apply to your complaints procedure?
Should make sure that your complaints procedure:
- displayed where pts can see it
- clearly written in plain language & available in other formats if needed
- easy for pts to understand and follow
- provides information on other independent organisation that patients can contact to raise concerns
- allows you to deal with complaints promptly and efficiently
- allows you to investigate complaints in a full & fair way
- explains all possible outcomes
- allows information that can be used to improve services to pass back to your practise management or equivalent
- respect pts confidentiality
