MJDF Part 1 - Membership of Joint Dental Faculties Law, Ethics, and Professionalism Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 15-year-old patient attends your practice requesting tooth whitening.
You assess them and determine they have the maturity and intelligence to fully understand the procedure, risks, and alternatives.
However, their parents have explicitly forbidden the treatment.
According to UK law and professional guidance, what is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Proceed with the treatment as the patient is 'Gillick competent' and their consent is valid.

Answer

Refuse to provide the treatment as the patient is under 16 and lacks parental consent.

Answer

Only proceed if you obtain a court order to override the parents' refusal.

Answer

Advise the patient to wait until they are 16, when their consent automatically becomes valid.

Question 2

Which of the following is a core principle of the Mental Capacity Act 2005?

Accepted Answer

A person must be assumed to have capacity unless it is established that they lack capacity.

Answer

An unwise or eccentric decision is, in itself, proof of a lack of capacity.

Answer

Decisions for a person lacking capacity should prioritise the views of their next of kin.

Answer

Capacity is a global assessment and once lost, it is lost for all decisions.

Question 3

A dental nurse is concerned that a dentist in the practice consistently fails to obtain valid consent before starting complex procedures. According to the General Dental Council (GDC) 'Standards for the Dental Team', what is the nurse's primary professional duty?

Accepted Answer

To raise the concern, following local procedures first, as patients may be at risk.

Answer

To discuss the matter only with other nurses to gather more evidence.

Answer

To ignore the issue to avoid conflict and protect professional loyalties.

Answer

To report the dentist directly to the GDC without any internal discussion.

Question 4

A patient makes a formal complaint in writing about the outcome of their NHS-funded crown preparation. According to the NHS complaints procedure in England, what is the recommended first step for the practice?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge the complaint and handle it via the in-house local resolution process.

Answer

Immediately refer the patient to the General Dental Council (GDC).

Answer

Advise the patient that they must contact a solicitor to proceed.

Answer

Forward the complaint directly to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO).

Question 5

Under the General Dental Council (GDC) requirements, what is the primary purpose of a dental professional holding appropriate professional indemnity?

Accepted Answer

To ensure a patient who has suffered harm can receive appropriate compensation.

Answer

To protect the dentist from any investigation by the GDC.

Answer

To ensure the professional can pay their GDC registration fees.

Answer

To provide legal representation for the dentist in employment disputes.

Question 6

A dentist is creating a new website for their private practice. According to the GDC's 'Standards for the Dental Team' and guidance on ethical advertising, which of the following is permissible?

Accepted Answer

Providing a clear and accurate price list for common treatments offered at the practice.

Answer

Claiming to be a 'specialist' in a field without being on the relevant GDC specialist list.

Answer

Using a patient's identifiable 'before and after' photograph without their explicit written consent.

Answer

Making a claim that the practice's services are superior to those of a neighbouring practice.