Fitness to Practice.
As Dental Care Professionals (DCP’s) registered with the GDC, we each have to follow the “Principles of Practice in Dentistry” as advised by the GDC. These principles are:
Putting patients’ interests first and acting to protect them.
In other words, we have to put the interests of our patients before our own, our colleagues and also employer, e.g. the Dentist. We have to consider this principle when dealing with patient enquiries, concerns and complaints. We have to respect the patient completely despite receiving a complaint- it is our duty to resolve it for the benefit of the patient. DCP’s should make sure that they are protected in the event that a patient makes a claim so the patient can receive adequate compensation if necessary. We should work within our knowledge, professional competence and physical abilities and if we cannot help the patient in a certain situation, then we need to find somebody who can. Patient records should be kept up to date at all times including regular medical history checks. Patients should have easy access to their records if they choose to view them. If you believe that a patient could be at risk due yourself, a colleague or the clinical environment then this needs to resolved quickly by taking necessary action. The practice should also find out about the local procedures for child protection and follow these procedures if there is any suspicion of a child being at risk.
Respecting patients’ dignity and choices.
Patients should be treated kindly and with respect and we should help them make the right decision with regards to their health and promote their responsibility to make these choices. We need to treat each patient equally and not discriminate on any level. Patients should be listened to and offered correct advice. There are boundaries between a patient and a DCP and in no circumstances should a relationship between a patient and DCP be abused.
Protecting the confidentiality of patients’ information.
We should treat patient information as completely confidential and only use it for the purpose in which it was given. Patient information needs to be kept secure and unauthorized access must be prevented so that it is not accidentally revealed. Patient information should only be revealed if it can be justified, for example, if it is in the interest of the patient or the public.
Co-operating with other members of the dental team and other healthcare colleagues in the interests of the patients.
It is important that all team members co-operate with each other and respect everybody’s role in caring for the patient. Knowledge and skills should be shared amongst colleagues in order to provide a better standard of care to the patient.
Maintaining your professional knowledge and competence.
Registering as Dental Nurses is only the first stage in our careers and it is important that we continue to develop ourselves in order to be better Nurses and provide increasingly good standards of care to all patients. Our knowledge and skills should constantly be reviewed and reflected on to see if we can make improvements. We should also keep up to date with the latest advancements in rules and regulations which affect the way we work.
Being trustworthy.
We must justify the trust that our colleagues, patients and the public have in us as DCP’s. We must follow these principles in our professional and personal life and maintain the trust and confidence that we have earned.
GDC Guidelines for dental nurses in training:
‘1 Are employed by a practice and enrolled in a training course but waiting for the course to start or,
2 Are employed by a practice and waiting for enrolment for a training programme to open or,
3 Have passed the National Certificate but are still completing the 24 months’ chairside experience needed to get their certificate.
In all above cases:
A Before a student dental nurse undertakes any duties in the practice he or she must receive an appropriate induction, which must include confidentiality and health and safety in the practice;
B The student dental nurse must keep a log book of the training they received in the practice;
C The student dental nurse must not undertake exposure prone procedures, including cleaning instruments, until they have received their appropriate vaccinations as required in the area where they practice.’
References- The General Dental Council Website.
As Dental Care Professionals (DCP’s) registered with the GDC, we each have to follow the “Principles of Practice in Dentistry” as advised by the GDC. These principles are:
Putting patients’ interests first and acting to protect them.
In other words, we have to put the interests of our patients before our own, our colleagues and also employer, e.g. the Dentist.
We have to consider this principle when dealing with patient enquiries, concerns and complaints. We have to respect the patient completely despite receiving a complaint- it is our duty to resolve it for the benefit of the patient. DCP’s should make sure that they are protected in the event that a patient makes a claim so the patient can receive adequate compensation if necessary. We should work within our knowledge, professional competence and physical abilities and if we cannot help the patient in a certain situation, then we need to find somebody who can. Patient records should be kept up to date at all times including regular medical history checks. Patients should have easy access to their records if they choose to view them. If you believe that a patient could be at risk due yourself, a colleague or the clinical environment then this needs to resolved quickly by taking necessary action. The practice should also find out about the local procedures for child protection and follow these procedures if there is any suspicion of a child being at risk.
Respecting patients’ dignity and choices.
Patients should be treated kindly and with respect and we should help them make the right decision with regards to their health and promote their responsibility to make these choices. We need to treat each patient equally and not discriminate on any level. Patients should be listened to and offered correct advice. There are boundaries between a patient and a DCP and in no circumstances should a relationship between a patient and DCP be abused.
Protecting the confidentiality of patients’ information.
We should treat patient information as completely confidential and only use it for the purpose in which it was given. Patient information needs to be kept secure and unauthorized access must be prevented so that it is not accidentally revealed. Patient information should only be revealed if it can be justified, for example, if it is in the interest of the patient or the public.
Co-operating with other members of the dental team and other healthcare colleagues in the interests of the patients.
It is important that all team members co-operate with each other and respect everybody’s role in caring for the patient. Knowledge and skills should be shared amongst colleagues in order to provide a better standard of care to the patient.
Maintaining your professional knowledge and competence.
Registering as Dental Nurses is only the first stage in our careers and it is important that we continue to develop ourselves in order to be better Nurses and provide increasingly good standards of care to all patients. Our knowledge and skills should constantly be reviewed and reflected on to see if we can make improvements. We should also keep up to date with the latest advancements in rules and regulations which affect the way we work.
Being trustworthy.
We must justify the trust that our colleagues, patients and the public have in us as DCP’s. We must follow these principles in our professional and personal life and maintain the trust and confidence that we have earned.
GDC Guidelines for dental nurses in training:
‘1 Are employed by a practice and enrolled in a training course but waiting for the course to start or,
2 Are employed by a practice and waiting for enrolment for a training programme to open or,
3 Have passed the National Certificate but are still completing the 24 months’ chairside experience needed to get their certificate.
This means trainee nurses are not able to work as a temporary/ contract worker.
In all above cases:
A Before a student dental nurse undertakes any duties in the practice he or she must receive an appropriate induction, which must include confidentiality and health and safety in the practice;
B The student dental nurse must keep a log book of the training they received in the practice;
C The student dental nurse must not undertake exposure prone procedures, including cleaning instruments, until they have received their appropriate vaccinations as required in the area where they practice.’
References- The General Dental Council Website.
