The GDC Standards

Question 1

Why are they important

Answer 1

Failure to meet the standards, you may be removed from the GDC register and not be able to work as a dental professional

Question 2

Principle 1: putting patients’ interests first

Answer 2

Patients expect:
To be listened to and have their concerns taken into account
To be treated as individuals
Members of the team will be honest and act with integrity
All aspects of their health and well-being will be considered and that they will receive dental care that is appropriate to them.
Adjustments will be made for disabilities
Interests will be out before financial gain and business need
Redress if they suffer harm during dental treatment
That their dental pain and anxiety will be managed appropriately

Question 3

Principle 1: you must

Answer 3

Listen to your patients
Treat every pt with dignity and respect
Be honest and act with integrity
Take a holistic and preventative approach to pt care which is appropriate to the individual pt
Treat in a hygienic and safe environment
Treat fairly, as individuals without discrimination
Put pt interests first before your own
Have appropriate arrangements for pt to seek compensation if they suffer harm
Find out about laws and regulations that effect your work and follow them

Question 4

Principle 2: communicate effectively with patients

They expect:

Answer 4

To receive full, clear and accurate information that they can understand throughout the process of treatment so that they can make informed decisions about their care
A clear explanation of treatment, possible outcomes and what they expect
To know how much their treatment will cost before it starts and be told about any changes
Communication they can understand
To know the names of those providing their care

Question 5

Principle 2: you must

Answer 5

Communicate effectively with pt - listen to them, give them time to consider info and take their individual views and communication needs into account
Recognise and promote pt rights to and responsibility for making decisions about their health priorities and care
Give pt the info they need in a way that they can make informed decisions
Give pt clear information about costs

Question 6

Principle 3: obtain valid consent

Answer 6

Patients expect:

To be asked for their consent to treatment before it starts

Question 7

Principle 3; you must

Answer 7

Obtain valid consent before starting trt, explain relevant options and possible costs
Make sure pt (or representative) understand the decision they are being asked to make
Make sure the pt consent remains valid at each stage of investigation or trt

Question 8

Principle 4: maintain and protect patients’ information

Patients expect:

Answer 8

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 safely

Question 9

Principle 4: you must

Answer 9

Make and keep contemporaneous, complete and accurate pt records
Protect the confidentiality of pt info and only use it for the purpose it was given
Only release pt info without their permission in exceptional circumstances
Ensure pt can have access to their records
Keep pt info secure at all times whether paper or electronically

Question 10

Principle 5: have a clear and affective complaints procedure
Patients expect:

Answer 10

Their concerns or complaints to he acknowledged, listened to and dealt with promptly

Question 11

Principle 5: you must

Answer 11

Make sure that there is an effective complaints procedure readily available for pt to use and follow that procedure at all times
Respect pt right to complain
Give pt who complain a prompt and constructive response

Question 12

Principle 6; work with colleagues in a way that is in patients’ best interest
Patients expect:

Answer 12

To be fully informed of the different roles of the dental professionals involved in their care
That’s members of the dental team will work effectively together

Question 13

Principle 6: you must

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Principle 7: maintain, develop and work within your professional knowledge and skills
Patients expect:

Answer 14

To receive good quality care
That all members of the dental team are appropriately trained and qualified
Keep their skills up to date
Know their limits and refer pt as appropriate
Work within current laws and regulations

Question 15

Principle 7: you must

Answer 15

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 life

Question 16

Principle 8: raise concerns if patients are at risk

Patients expect:

Answer 16

That the dental team will act promptly to protect their safety if there are concerns about the health, performance or behaviour of a dental professional or the environment where the trt is provided
That dental professionals will raise any concerns about the welfare of vulnerable pts

Question 17

Principle 8: you must

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Principle 9: make sure your personal behaviour maintains patients’ confidence in you and the dental profession
Patients expect:

Answer 18

That all members of the dental team will maintain appropriate personal and professional behaviour
That they can trust and have confidence in you as a dental professional and in the dental profession

Question 19

Principle 9: you must

Answer 19

Ensure that your conduct, both and work and personal, justifies pt trust in you and the public’s trust in the dental profession
Protect pt and colleagues from risks posed by your health, conduct and performance
Inform GDC if you are subject to criminal proceedings or a regulatory funding is made against you anywhere in the world
Co-operate with any relevant formal or informal inquiry and give full and truthful info