MJDF Law Ethics and Professionalism

Question 1

According to the GDC's Standards for the Dental Team, what are the nine principles that dental professionals must uphold?

Accepted Answer

The nine principles include: put patients' interests first, communicate effectively, obtain valid consent, maintain and protect patients' information, have a clear and effective complaints procedure, work with colleagues in a way that is in patients' best interests, maintain and develop your knowledge and skills, raise concerns if patients are at risk, and make sure your personal behaviour maintains patients' confidence in you and the dental profession

Answer

There are only three principles: do no harm, maintain confidentiality, and keep records

Answer

The GDC has no published standards for dental professionals

Answer

There is only one principle: always follow the dentist's instructions

Question 2

What constitutes 'valid consent' for dental treatment under UK law, and what are the requirements?

Accepted Answer

Valid consent requires that the patient has capacity to make the decision, has been given sufficient information about the treatment (including risks, benefits, alternatives, and the option of no treatment), is acting voluntarily without coercion, and the consent is given before treatment begins; consent is a process, not just a form

Answer

A signed consent form is all that is required

Answer

Consent is only needed for surgical procedures under general anaesthesia

Answer

Verbal consent is never acceptable — written consent is always required

Question 3

Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, what principles govern the treatment of a patient who lacks capacity to consent to dental treatment?

Accepted Answer

The Act establishes five principles: presume capacity, support decision-making, respect unwise decisions, act in the patient's best interests, and use the least restrictive option; treatment must be in the patient's best interests, considering their past and present wishes, beliefs, values, and the views of those close to them

Answer

If a patient lacks capacity, the dentist can do whatever they consider appropriate without restriction

Answer

Patients who lack capacity cannot receive any dental treatment

Answer

A family member can always consent on behalf of an adult patient who lacks capacity

Question 4

What are the dental professional's obligations regarding patient confidentiality under the Data Protection Act 2018 (UK GDPR)?

Accepted Answer

Patient information must be processed lawfully, kept secure, shared only with consent or when legally required (e.g., safeguarding, court order, public interest), kept for no longer than necessary, and patients have rights to access, correct, and request deletion of their data; the dental practice must have a data protection policy, appoint a data controller, and report breaches to the ICO within 72 hours

Answer

Patient information can be shared freely with anyone who asks

Answer

Confidentiality obligations end when the patient leaves the practice

Answer

Digital records are exempt from data protection regulations

Question 5

What is the Gillick competency test and how does it apply to dental treatment of children under 16?

Accepted Answer

Gillick competency (from Gillick v West Norfolk 1986) allows children under 16 to consent to treatment if they demonstrate sufficient maturity and understanding to fully comprehend what is proposed; however, a Gillick-competent child's refusal of treatment can be overridden by a parent or the court if treatment is in the child's best interests

Answer

Children under 16 can never consent to or refuse dental treatment

Answer

Gillick competency only applies to contraceptive advice, not dental treatment

Answer

All children over 12 are automatically Gillick competent

Question 6

What are the GDC's requirements for continuing professional development (CPD) under the Enhanced CPD scheme (from 2018)?

Accepted Answer

All GDC registrants must complete a minimum of 100 hours (dentists) or 50 hours (dental care professionals) of verifiable CPD over each 5-year cycle, including mandatory topics (medical emergencies, disinfection and decontamination, radiography and radiation protection, safeguarding, and complaints handling), with a personal development plan and reflection documented

Answer

No CPD is required after initial qualification

Answer

CPD is voluntary and has no mandatory topics

Answer

Only 10 hours of CPD per year is required with no specific topic requirements