Dental Law & Ethics (GDC) Flashcards

Which regulatory body is responsible for registering and regulating dental professionals in the UK?

Answer: General Dental Council (GDC)

The General Dental Council (GDC) is the statutory regulatory body for all dental professionals in the UK, responsible for registration, setting standards, and fitness to practise procedures.

What are the GDC's mandatory CPD topics for dentists in the current cycle?

Answer: Medical emergencies, disinfection and decontamination, radiography and radiation protection

The GDC mandates CPD in medical emergencies, disinfection and decontamination, and radiography and radiation protection for all dental professionals in every 5-year CPD cycle.

What is the purpose of a 'Significant Event Analysis (SEA)' in a dental practice?

Answer: Structured review of an adverse event to identify learning points and prevent recurrence

SEA is a quality improvement tool used to reflect on adverse events (significant events) in a structured way, identifying what happened, why, and what changes can prevent recurrence.

Under CQC regulations, what are the five key questions inspectors ask about a dental service?

Answer: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, Well-led

The CQC uses five key lines of enquiry (KLOE): Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive to people's needs, and Well-led, to inspect and rate dental services in England.

What is the difference between 'assault' and 'battery' in the context of dental treatment without consent?

Answer: Battery is unauthorised physical contact (treatment without consent); assault is the threat of such contact

In UK law, battery is unlawful physical contact (e.g., treating without valid consent), while assault is causing someone to apprehend imminent unlawful force; both are relevant when dental treatment is performed without consent.

What does 'vicarious liability' mean in the context of a dental practice?

Answer: An employer may be liable for the negligent acts of their employees performed in the course of employment

Vicarious liability means that a dental practice owner/employer may be held legally responsible for the negligent acts of their employed dental team members occurring during the course of their employment.