GDC agrees revised standards for dental professionals
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- Published: Thursday, 18 July 2013 07:35
- Written by News Editor
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The document removes the requirement that patients should be seen by a dentist before any other member of the dental team. The guidance now states that registrants must introduce themselves to patients and explain their role ‘so that patients know what involvement registrants have in their care’. It also says that they must ensure that patients are fully informed of the names and roles of the dental professionals involved in their care (6.1.5).
In response to the Francis report, the guidance retains the requirement to put patients’ interests first. It also includes a new standard which states ‘that those who employ, manage or lead a team must encourage and support a culture where staff can raise concerns openly and without fear of reprisal’. The guidance also makes clear that ‘gagging clauses’ which prevent staff from raising concerns about patient safety must not feature in employment contracts.
The Francis report makes reference to health professionals having a duty of candour and the new Standards makes clear that registrants must be open and honest at all times. There is clear guidance on how to raise concerns and the guidance states that the duty to raise concerns overrides any personal or professional loyalties.
The guidance will come into force on September 30 this year and will receive extensive publicity both to the profession and public before then.
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