Over the last year, we’ve published lots of articles to guide you through the ethical challenges of dental school and help you meet professional standards, from social media to raising concerns.
Now it’s time to see how much you remember!
Use our short quiz below to test your dento-legal knowledge. All the information you need can be found within the articles on our student hub.
Check your answers at the bottom of the page.
Start the quiz
1. How should you respond if you’re asked to do a task that’s beyond your level of competence?
a) Agree to do it but disappear at the vital moment.
b) Explain that you are not yet trained and experienced enough to carry out the task.
c) Complain to your supervisor immediately without any discussion.
d) Agree to do it and hope for the best.
2. What should you do if a patient invites you for a drink?
a) Agree and make sure your housemates know where you are to stay safe.
b) Make an excuse – you’re revising.
c) Tell them to go away and leave you alone.
d) Politely decline and explain you need to keep things strictly professional with patients.
3. Is it OK to discuss your patients on a private chat group?
a) You can discuss cases provided you don’t disclose identifiable patient details.
b) No problem, you know everyone in the group very well.
c) It’s fine to discuss someone’s oral health and treatment if you don’t reveal their name.
d) You must always get patient consent first.
4. Do you need to declare a police caution when applying for GDC registration?
a) No, the General Dental Council (GDC) is only interested in convictions.
b) No, it happened a long time ago.
c) Yes, you should be open and honest with the GDC.
d) No, because it will prevent you from registering.
5. Should you raise concerns if a friend on the course is self-medicating?
a) Yes, if your friend won’t take your concerns seriously.
b) Yes, but it’s better to leave an anonymous note for the tutor.
c) No, because your friendship is more important.
d) No, because you can help them yourself.
6. When seeking consent from the patient, the GDC says you must…
a) Explain why they must have the recommended treatment.
b) Find out what they want to know as well as what you think they need to know.
c) Find out whether they can afford the treatment.
d) Avoid saying anything that might worry or upset them.
7. What is the name of the GDC document that sets out what each registrant group should be able to do?
a) ‘Know your limits’.
b) ‘Stay in your lane’.
c) ‘Scope of practice’.
d) ‘Boundaries for the dental team’.
8) Should you ever give someone dental advice on social media?
a) Yes, it might help them decide on treatment.
b) Only once you’ve qualified.
c) Yes, if they direct message you.
d) No, it’s better for them to see their own dental professional.
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Answers and further reading
- B) The GDC says, “You must only carry out a task or a type of treatment if you are appropriately trained, competent, confident and indemnified.” Be honest and don’t try to blag your way through the situation. See our dilemma on voluntary work.
- D) As our dilemma on professional boundaries explains, it’s best to be polite but firm at the start about the need to keep things professional.
- A) Our guide to staying professional on social media highlights the importance of not disclosing identifiable details about patients and the risks of jigsaw identification.
- C) The GDC expects applicants to declare current and past convictions and cautions, but this doesn’t automatically stop someone from registering if they’re open, honest and show insight. See our guide to declaring convictions.
- A) You can encourage your friend to seek help but if they won’t listen, you should raise concerns and act quickly if patients might be at risk. Ultimately, personal loyalties shouldn’t override your professional duty, as we explain in this dilemma.
- B) Each patient should be given enough information to make their own informed decision, so you need to find out what’s important to them. Consent is covered in part one of our guide to applying GDC standards.
- C) See our dilemma on working while you train as a dental professional for more about the GDC’s ‘Scope of practice’ guidance.
- D) As our guide to staying professional on social media explains, it would be misleading to imply you’re a registered dental professional. In any case, their own dental professional would be better placed to make a diagnosis and treatment plan.
This page was correct at publication on 22/11/2024. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.
by Leo Briggs BDS, MSc Deputy head of the DDU
Leo Briggs qualified from University College Hospital, London, in 1989. He has worked extensively in the Community Dental Service including a brief period overseas. He has also worked in General Dental Practice.
Leo gained a masters degree in Periodontology from the Eastman in 1995 and is on the GDC specialist register for Periodontics. Since 1995 he has provided specialist periodontal treatment in both the Salaried Dental Services and Private Practice. He started working for the DDU in 2005. Between 2007 and 2009 he worked part time at the DDU and part time as a Clinical Tutor at the School for Professionals Complementary to Dentistry in Portsmouth. In 2009 Leo went full time with the DDU. In January 2016 he became deputy head of the DDU. He continues to work clinically as a specialist periodontist in a General Practice on Saturdays.