Module 1 - Lesson 1 (The role of a dental nurse and GDC standards)

Question 1

What does DGC stand for and what do they do ?

Answer 1

• GDC stands for the General Dental Council
• Parliment appointed council to govern dentistry in the UK

Question 2

What are the 10 GDC standards ?

Question 3

In the GDC standards, what are the 9 steps in putting the patients’ interests first ?

Answer 3

1) Listen to your patients
2) Treat every patient with dignity & respect
3) Be honest and act with integrity
4) Provide appropriate care
5) Treat patients in a safe & hygenic environment
6) Treat patients fairly, without discrimination
7) Patients interest must come before your own or colleagues of the buisness
8) Have legal indemnity in place for patients to seek compensation if they suffer harm
9) Follow laws & regulations that affect your work

Question 4

In the GDC standards, what are the 4 steps in communicating effectively with patients ?

Answer 4

1) Give patients information in a way that they can understand
2) Listen to patients and give them time to consider the information
3) Allow patients to make their own decisions about their helth & care
4) Inform patients about costs

Question 5

In the GDC standards, what are the 3 steps in obtaining valid consent ?

Answer 5

1) Obtain consent before starting treatment
2) Make sure that patients understand the decisions they are making
3) Consent must remain valid at all stages of treatment

Question 6

In the GDC stardards, what are the 4 steps in maintaining & protecting patients information ?

Answer 6

1) Keep complete & accurate patient records
2) Keep all information secure (paper or digital)
3) Protect confidentiality
4) Obtain patients’ permission to release information, except in exceptional circumstances

Question 7

In the GDC standards, what are the 3 steps to having a clear & effective complaints procedure ?

Answer 7

1) Complaints’ Procedure must be readily accessible for patients
2) Respect a patient’s right to complain
3) Give patients a prompt & constructive response

Question 8

In the GDC standards, what are the 5 steps in working with colleagues in the patients’ best interests ?

Answer 8

1) Good teamwork
2) Appropriate support when treating patients
3) Delegate and refer appropriately
4) Communicate clearly with colleagues
5) Develop effective management and leadership skills

Question 9

In the GDC standards, what are the 4 steps to maintain, develop & work within your professional knowledge & skills ?

Answer 9

1) Provide quality care that is evidence based & current
2) Work within your knowledge and competence
3) Update and develop throughout your working life

Question 10

In the GDC standards, what are the 5 steps in raising concerns if patients are at risk ?

Answer 10

1) Put patients’ safety first
2) Act promptly to protect patients or colleagues
3) Enable & support staff when concerns are raised
4) Have an effective procedure for raising concerns
5) Take action to protect children or vunerable adults

Question 11

In the GDC standards, what are the 4 steps in your personal behaviour that maintains confidence in you and the dental profession ?

Answer 11

1) Your personal life and work must justify the public’s trust in you and the profession
2) Your health, conduct or performance poses no risk to patients or colleagues
3) Inform GDC about any criminal proceedings anywhere in the world relating to you
4) Provide full and truthful information at any formal or informal inquiries

Question 12

Why does the General Dentil Council exist ?

Answer 12

To protect patients

Question 13

What are the 3 things the GDC does to protect patients ?

Answer 13

1) Overseeing all education for all dental professionals, including continuing professional development (CPD)
2) Setting standards for all those involved with dental care (including handling complaints)
3) Registration for all qualified dental professionals

Question 14

What is the role of the dentist in the dental team and what are they responsable for ? (4 points)

Answer 14

1) The general well being and oral health of patient
2) Providing all care required by a patient ; or give a prescription for care of another team member (e.g to a hygeinist), or refer the patient for specialist care
3) Supervising other team members for whom they are responsible
4) Ensure that all Legal & Ethical requirements are met

Question 15

What is the role of hygienists in the dental team & what are they responsable for ? (5 points)

Answer 15

1) Involved with the peridontal (gum) health of the patient
2) Giving oral Hygiene & diet advice
3) Undertake scaling & polishing, apply fluorides & fissure sealants
4) May prescribe but not take radiographs that are appropriate to their field of dentistry
5) May work from a dentist’s perscription or diagnose & treatment plan within their skill level & competence

Question 16

What is the role of a dental theripist in the dental team ? (2 points)

Answer 16

1) Perform the same duties as the hygienist, but in addition may undertake simple fillings for children & adults, & extract deciduous teeth
2) This additional area of work is under the perscription of a dentist.

Question 17

What is the role of a dental nurse in the dental team ? (2 points)

Answer 17

1) Fully assist dentist, hygeinists or therapitsts in patient care
2) Manage the dental surgeries

Question 18

What is the role of the dental technicians in the dental team ? (4 points)

Answer 18

1) Usually specialise in constructing crown & bridges, or dentures
2) May also specialise in construction of removable orthodontic appliances, or create elaborate prostheses for facial reconstruction for cancer patients in hospital
3) Work from a dentists perscription
4) Sutably qualified clinical technicians may provide full-full dentures without the need for a prescription

Question 19

What is the role of the administration team in the dental team ? (2 points)

Answer 19

1) Perform reception duties
2) Nurces may also be required to perform these duties

Question 20

What are the 8 qualities of a good dental nurse ?

Answer 20

1) Warm & friendly personality
2) Good communication skills
3) Caring, thoughtful & helpful
4) Organised
5) Shows initiative
6) Ability to work in a team
7) Ability to follow instructions
8) Conscientious & reliable

Question 21

What are the 17 duties of a dental nurse ?

Answer 21

1) Care and maintenance of surgery equiptment & instruments
2) Stock management
3) Prepare a surgery & set out instruments
4) Decontamination & sterilisation procedures
5) Surgery waste management
6) Record keeping & charting
7) Chairside assistance during all operative procedures
8) Preparation, mixing & handling dental materials
9) Monitor, support & reassure patients
10) Pre & postoperative care of patients
11) Give appropriate advice to patients
12) Be a chaperone & witness for the dentist & the patient
13) Process & mount radiographs
14) Liaise with laboratories
15) Arrange appointments
16) Support patients & colleagues in the event of a medical emergency
17) MAke appropriate referrals to other health professionals

Question 22

What are the 7 steps in professionalism ?

Answer 22

1) Smart & well groomed
2) High standard of personal hygiene
3) Language & behavour should always be exemplary. Nurses should be reflect on their behaviur & the impact it may have on colleagues & patients
4) A qualified dental nurse should show a commitment to ongoing professional development by having a personal development plan which encompass education, training and practice
5) Personal capabilities & limitations must be acknowledged in the interests of high quality patient care, & acted upon within these boundaries
6) To provide high quality care, a team approach should be adopted & nurses should endevour to assist in the development of others
7) Always act with integrity and be trustworthy