Legal & Ethical Issues

1. Valid

   Annotations:

   • must be voluntary and informed and capable to make a informed choice.
2. informed

   Annotations:

   • explained verbally of treatment options, risks and cost
3. specific

   Annotations:

   • details of treatment to be received at each stage of treatment
4. who

   Annotations:

   • be able to understand treatments requires, risks & be able to communicate the decision

Annotations:

• before 2006 the dentist was solely for staff 2008 nursed join the GDC reg become a professional in their own right, so responsible for their own CPD training. registration - you ned to have completed a recognised dental nurse course and worked as a trainee. you then need to Sign up to the GDC to become registered, comply with all relivant legistrations and regulations. maintain a professional standard of behaviour at all times. comply with CPD requirements. CPD requirements - 100hrs non verifiable and 50hrs verifiable training courses. GDC - annual registration. nurses responsiblility

Annotations:

• maintain registration. Treat all patients equally. Maintain level of competency. CPD Fitmess to practice.

1. fitness to practice

   Annotations:

   • Details of what you should and shouldn't do in your prosession, and the disciplinary consequences. This includes your behaviour and attitude. Anybody can question your fitness to practice public, collegues, GDC. If found unfit to practice you can be struck off  by the GDC.
2. scope of practice

   Annotations:

   • outlines what you are allowed to do in your current job role. EG levels and skill and abilities that you are allowed to preform.

Annotations:

• keeping all patients details private and not to disclose to a third party. Keeping all patient documentation confidential, eg, password protected computers, files locked in cabinates etc.

1. patient records

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   • clear and concise patient notes. no jaargan, written/ dictated, only by the dentist. Patient records can be requested in writing and the dentist must respond with in 40 days. police can have acces to a patients dental records, if it posses risk to the public or to identify a patient by forensics. Also debt collecting agencies and legal solicitors can access these records for legal claim against the patient under the dentist. The data protection act 1998 - the confidentiality of sensitive personal data. the dentist is allowed to refuse patient information if they believe it could cause harm to the patient. when a second person is mentioned by name, but they have not given consent.

Annotations:

• A complaint procedure can be verbal or written  A complaint can be made anytime and can be about anything. complaints should be acknowledged with in 3days and formally responded to with in 10 days. If the complaint is verbal it should be delt with verbally. you should handle complaints effectivly and professionally. Each actice should have a complaints procedure displayed where patients can see it. This should include a time frame, how they can complain, what they should expect. Records should be kept of the complaint and used to make the practice better.

1. information governance

   Annotations:

   • Is a quality assurance system. when sending a letter this should be stamped with "private and confidential" sending by email - password protected or designated secure network. fax - should have a cover sheet. Cldicot guardian - someone who ensures information sharing is protected.

Annotations:

• ! put patients interests first 2 communicate effectively with patients 3 obtaining valid consent 4maintain and protect patient information 5 have a clear and effective complaints procedure 6 working with your collegues in a way that is in your patients best interest 7 maintain, develop, and work with in your professional knowledge and skill 8 raising concerns if the patients are at risk 9