NHS Dental Contracts & Medical Emergencies Flashcards

What is the GDC's position on social media use by dental professionals?

Answer: Social media use must reflect GDC Standards — maintain professionalism, protect confidentiality, and never undermine public confidence

The GDC requires dental professionals to maintain the same standards online as in practice: no breach of confidentiality, no disparaging colleagues, no content that undermines public confidence in the profession.

What is the recommended action when a dentist discovers that a colleague has committed a prescribing error that harmed a patient?

Answer: Report via practice incident reporting system, ensure patient is informed under duty of candour, escalate to GDC if patient safety is at ongoing risk

Errors causing patient harm trigger both duty of candour (inform patient) and duty to raise concerns (incident reporting, and GDC reporting if ongoing risk exists), as per GDC Standards.

What is the role of the Dental Practice Adviser (DPA) in NHS dental contract management?

Answer: NHS England officer who supports practices in contract compliance and investigates contract concerns

The Dental Practice Adviser (NHS England) acts as a liaison between NHS dental practices and the commissioner, providing guidance on contract compliance and investigating concerns about NHS service delivery.

What does 'probity' mean in the context of GDC Standards?

Answer: Honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness in all professional and personal conduct relevant to practice

Probity (GDC Standard 9) requires dental professionals to be honest, trustworthy, and to display integrity in all matters — including finances, research, and interactions with colleagues and patients.

Which document must be available in a dental practice to comply with Regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008?

Answer: Evidence of systems to assess, monitor, and mitigate risks to patient safety (clinical governance framework)

Regulation 12 requires providers to have effective systems for assessing, monitoring, and mitigating risks to patient safety, including infection control policies, risk assessments, and incident reporting procedures.

What is the maximum amount a dental patient in England can be asked to pay for NHS Band 3 treatment in 2025/26?

Answer: £306.80

For 2025/26, the NHS patient charge for Band 3 treatment in England is £306.80, covering all complex treatments including crowns, dentures, and bridges within a single course of treatment.