AimsThe aim of the session will be to discuss how the GDC guidance and the set standards for the dental team are perceived and understood by newly qualified dental practitioners and how the guidance and the standards influence clinicians’ decision making. The session will focus on:
- Law, ethics and the newly qualified dentist, specifically undergraduate training, post-graduate requirements, a discussion on whether ethics can be taught and complaints amongst newly qualified dentists;
- The GDC and the ‘Standards for the Dental Team’ Document, specifically their background, the Standards for the Dental Team document and the GDC in comparison to the GMC; and
- The clinical and non-clinical impact of regulation as identified in existing literature as well as the findings of this research project.
The aim is to raise awareness of the ways in which perceptions of the regulator and their regulations can affect clinicians and patients alike, the possible reasons, and to discuss the future implications of this. The session will be designed to inspire innovative solutions such as tackling the format of the law and ethics curriculum at both undergraduate and CPD level and improving the reputation and perception of the GDC and their regulatory requirements.
ObjectivesBy the end of the session, the participants should have a better understanding of the GDC standards and how the legal and ethical issues outlined in them can have an impact on patients and clinicians alike. The participants should have an appreciation of the three main themes that emerged during this study on the clinical and non-clinical implications of the GDC Standards:
- Fear amongst newly qualified clinicians. This can range from fear of complaints to fear that they will never be good enough. The notion of fear as a deterrent and its impact is also discussed as well as the practice of defensive dentistry
- Morale. Participants will gain awareness of how the regulation can lead to newly qualified dentists feeling underprepared, and as though 'nothing I do will be good enough'. The idea that the standards can often create confusion around issues of consent which is exacerbated by the use of ambiguous statements will also be discussed
- The Business of Dentistry. Here the current NHS system will be discussed and the pitfalls that newly qualified dentists encounter whilst trying to achieve the GDC standards under the current contract. Participants of this session will also have the opportunity to consider whether there is a conflict between financial gain and patient’s best interests and the confusion caused by the exchange of money in a dental setting.
