Questions and Answers in Oral Health Education. Chloe Foxhall
about the procedure for doing this.
6.3.4 If you ask a colleague to provide treatment, a dental appliance, or clinical advice for a patient, you should make your request clear and give your colleague all the information they need.
6.3.5 If you need to refer a patient to someone else for treatment, you must explain the referral process to the patient and make sure that it is recorded in their notes.
Standard 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.
6.4.1 If a colleague asks you to provide treatment, a dental appliance, or clinical advice for a patient, you must ensure that you are clear about what you are being asked to do and that you have the knowledge and skills to do it.
6.4.2 If you do not think that what you have been asked to do is appropriate, you should discuss this with the colleague who asked you to do it. You should only go ahead if you are satisfied that what you have been asked to do is appropriate. If you are not sure, you should seek advice from your professional association or defence organisation.
Standard 6.5 Communicate clearly and effectively with other team members and colleagues in the interests of patients.
6.5.1 You should document any discussions you have with colleagues about a patient's treatment, including any decisions you have reached or changed, in that patient's notes.
Standard 6.6 Demonstrate effective management and leadership skills if you manage a team.
6.6.1 You should make sure that all team members, including those not registered with the GDC, have:
a proper induction when they first join the team;
performance management, including regular appraisals;
opportunities to learn and develop;
a hygienic and safe working environment;
a work environment that is not discriminatory;
opportunities to provide feedback; and
a way to raise concerns.
6.6.2 You should make sure that relevant team members are appropriately registered with the GDC or another healthcare regulator, appropriately in‐training to be registered with the GDC or another healthcare regulator and that those who are registered with the GDC are also indemnified.
6.6.3 You should encourage all team members, including those not registered with the GDC, to follow the guidance in this document, as well as following it yourself.
6.6.4 You should make sure that you communicate regularly with all members of the team and that all members of the team are involved and included as appropriate.
6.6.5 You must encourage, support, and facilitate the continuing professional development (CPD) of your dental team.
6.6.6 Medical emergencies can happen at any time in a dental practice. You must make sure that:
there are arrangements for at least two people to be available within the working environment to deal with medical emergencies when treatment is planned to take place;
all members of staff, including those not registered with the GDC, know their role if there is a medical emergency; and
all members of staff who might be involved in dealing with a medical emergency are trained and prepared to do so at any time, and practise together regularly in a simulated emergency so they know exactly what to do.
6.6.7 You should ensure your team has:
good leadership;
clear, shared aims; and
an understanding of their roles and responsibilities.
6.6.8 You should ensure that all the members of your team understand their roles and responsibilities, including what decisions and actions have, and have not, been delegated to them.
6.6.9 You should discuss all new policies and procedures with your colleagues so that everybody understands them and make sure that all team members are aware of their responsibility to comply with them.
6.6.10 You should display information about the members of your team (including their registration number where appropriate), in an area where it can be easily seen by patients.
6.6.11 You should display the following information in an area where it can be easily seen by patients:
the fact that you are regulated by the GDC; and
the nine principles contained in this document.
Principle 7 – Maintain, Develop, and Work within your Professional and Skills
Patient expectation:
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 patients as appropriate; and
work within current laws and regulations.
Standard 7.1 Provide good quality care based on current evidence and authoritative guidance.
7.1.1 You must find out about current evidence and best practice which affect your work, premises, equipment, and business, and follow them.
7.1.2 If you deviate from established practice and guidance, you should record the reasons why and be able to justify your decision.
Standard 7.2 Work within your knowledge, skills, professional competence, and abilities.
7.2.1 You must only carry out a task or a type of treatment if you are appropriately trained, competent, confident, and indemnified. Training can take many different forms. You must be sure that you have undertaken training which is appropriate for you and equips you with the appropriate knowledge and skills to perform a task safely.
7.2.2 You should only deliver treatment and care if you are confident that you have had the necessary training and are competent to do so. If you are not confident to provide treatment, you must refer the patient to an appropriately trained colleague.
7.2.3 You must only work within your mental and physical capabilities.
Standard 7.3 Update and develop your professional knowledge and skills throughout your working life.
7.3.1 You must make sure that you know how much continuing professional development (CPD) activity is required for you to maintain your registration and that you carry it out within the required time.
7.3.2 You should take part in activities that maintain, update, or develop your knowledge and skills. Your continuing professional development (CPD) activity should improve your practice. For more information, see the GDC's advice on CPD.
Principle 8 – Raise Concerns if Patients Are at Risk
Patient expectation:
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 treatment is provided.
That a dental professional will raise any concerns about the welfare of vulnerable patients.