Student professionalism

and fitness to practise

Standards for the dental team
Guidance for students
2016-17 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

This document sets out the standards of conduct, performance and ethics that you should
follow as a student training to become a dental professional registered with the
General Dental Council.

Contents
The purpose of this guidance .............................................................................................................. 1

What is the General Dental Council?................................................................................................... 1

What is student professionalism?........................................................................................................ 3

What standards are expected of students? ........................................................................................ 5

What is student fitness to practise? .................................................................................................... 6

Patients .............................................................................................................................................. 8

Communication.................................................................................................................................... 8

Clinical/technical and academic performance..................................................................................... 9

Health .................................................................................................................................................. 9

Raising concerns ............................................................................................................................... 11

The professional duty of candour ...................................................................................................... 11

Social media ...................................................................................................................................... 11

What are your responsibilities? ......................................................................................................... 12

What are your training provider’s responsibilities? ............................................................................ 12

What might affect my performance or study as a student dental

professional and who should I speak to about it? ............................................................................ 13

What support is available for students? ............................................................................................ 14

What actions and behaviours are expected of those preparing

to become dental professionals? ...................................................................................................... 16

What happens if you don’t meet the standards? .............................................................................. 19

What happens if you have been through student fitness to practise

proceedings and everything has been resolved? .............................................................................. 19

How does the student fitness to practise process work? ................................................................. 20

Overview ............................................................................................................................................ 22

Applying for registration with the GDC .............................................................................................. 23

List of useful organisations and guidance ......................................................................................... 25

1 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

The purpose of What is the General

this guidance Dental Council?
This guidance sets out the principles of Patients need good dental professionals,
professional behaviour expected of you who take care of them, are competent, keep
during your training to become a registered their knowledge and skills up to date, are
dental professional. It applies to all students honest and act with integrity.
training to become a member of the dental
The General Dental Council’s role is to
team registered by the General Dental
protect patients and maintain public
Council (GDC). The dental team is made up
confidence in the dental profession and its
of the following roles:
regulation. The law requires us to regulate
XX clinical dental technicians, the dental professions in the United
Kingdom by:
XX dental hygienists,
XX dental nurses, XX quality assuring education;
XX dental technicians, XX registering you and your colleagues;
XX dental therapists, XX setting standards that dental
professionals must meet; and
XX dentists, and
XX requiring dental professionals to keep
XX orthodontic therapists. their skills up to date through continuing
The guidance contains information to help professional development.
you understand what patients and training The law also requires us to investigate
providers expect of you, what happens if serious allegations where a dental
concerns arise, and what sort of help professional’s behavior or conduct is called
and support may be available for you into question. When we say “fit to practise”
during training. we mean that someone has the appropriate
Your training provider and the GDC are here skills, knowledge, character and health
to provide you with the information and help to practise their profession safely and
you need to develop your professionalism effectively. This might include imposing
as a student and later on when you start restrictions on practice such as requiring
work. We understand that training, as well them to only see patients under supervision,
as being a rewarding experience, can be a requiring them to complete additional
stressful time for students and you should training, and, in rare cases, removing a
feel you can ask for advice when you professional from the register.
need it.
Your training provider will take you
through the guidance and explain how it
applies to you during your course.
2 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

GDC - Training and education. and ethics. We take action against those
who work outside their scope of practice,
We set the learning outcomes and practise illegally, breach our standards,
standards that must be covered by and who put patients at risk, therefore
qualifications leading to registration eroding the confidence patients have in
and approve and monitor these training the profession. If a registrant isn’t meeting
programmes. The learning outcomes can our standards we aim, where possible, to
be found in the publication recommend actions to support them to
Preparing for Practice. make improvements that will support the
registrant to address the issues and remain
in practice, depending on the risk
to patients.

Skills such as communication,

professionalism and management and
leadership are as important when caring
for patients as he clinical skills you will
be taught.
The standards expected of registrants are
set out in the GDC publication Standards for
the Dental Team. The standards expected of
students are based on these principles.
It is important that you become
familiar with the Standards for
the Dental Team as soon as you
begin training.
Standards for the Dental Team
www.gdc-uk.org

Standards

The GDC register of dental

professionals
Once you have qualified as a dental
professional you must apply to join the
register if you want to work in the UK. Once
registered, we regulate the profession by
setting standards of conduct, performance
3 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

What is student students) and develop the ability to know

when to seek advice and support in terms
professionalism? of your learning, your clinical work
or technical work and health. It also
encompasses the way you respond when
Training to be a dental professional
you are made aware of issues and offered
offers many exciting opportunities but
advice and support. These are behaviours
it also comes with a very high degree of
or attributes a patient expects a dental
responsibility. You may have access to
professional to demonstrate.
confidential patient information. Patients
may view you as being in a position of
trust and responsibility. They are often
willing to allow students to be involved in
their treatments as they accept this is an
important part of your development. This
is based on trust that as students, you
will behave professionally, supported by
trained professionals.

‘As a dental nurse you are seen to be

a ‘good member of society’ and at the
work place, you are there to help care
for your patients. You shouldn’t be any
different outside of the workplace.’
(Dental Nurse student)

‘I feel there most definitely is a

difference in the standards expected
of dental students to those students
studying other subjects. This is due
to the nature of studying dentistry, it
includes having real patients, which
means real procedures and treatments
to be carried out in a real environment’
(Dental student)

Student professionalism is the way you

respond to the standards required of you
and the issues you may face during your
training. It is how you demonstrate the
appropriate attitudes and behaviour with
patients and your colleagues (staff on
the training course, employers and other
4 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

Your training provider will help you develop health and social care students, apart from
your judgment to apply the principles laid other students. Patients you provide care
out in our standards to the various situations for during your training must be able to trust
you will face as a dental professional. that you put their safety, health and choices
This is regardless if you are registered first. This means thinking about how you
or not, what dental professional you are communicate and behave outside of study,
or if you regularly see patients. If there is as well as on your course, in the evenings,
an occasion where you don’t fulfil what at weekends and when using social media.
is expected of you, for whatever reason,
By the end of your training you must be
your recognition of the problem when it is
able to demonstrate that you have the
raised and reacting in the right way also
knowledge skills and attitudes expected
demonstrates professionalism. Support will
of a registered dentist or dental care
be available but it is important that you take
professional. This is at the level of a ‘safe
responsibility for your actions.
beginner’. This includes standards of
These standards are important because conduct, performance and ethics.
student dental professionals work and
Student professionalism is a significant
provide patient care and maintain good
part of meeting student fitness to
infection control. This responsibility sets
practise requirements.
student dental professionals, and other
5 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

What standards The nine ethical principles

of practice:
are expected
of students? 1. Put patients’ interests first

There are nine ethical principles of practice 2. Communicate effectively

in the Standards for the Dental Team. You
with patients
have an individual responsibility to behave
professionally and follow these principles at
all times. Your training provider will give you 3. Obtain valid consent
the detailed information you need about:
XX what is expected during training
4. Maintain and protect patients’
XX what is expected when you register with information
the GDC.
Not all of the standards are relevant during
training, although you must be familiar 5. Have a clear and effective
with them. For example, you don’t need complaints procedure
to ensure you have appropriate insurance
or indemnity in place since you are not yet
registered with the GDC (see the section on 6. Work with colleagues in a
students who are already registered with way that is in patients’
the GDC). Indemnity cover is a requirement best interests
of registering. Your training provider may
have responsibility for other areas such as
reporting patient safety incidents to the 7. Maintain, develop and work
appropriate national body. within your professional
knowledge and skills
The GDC website contains a support area
called Focus on Standards where you
can access supporting guidance, FAQs, 8. Raise concerns if patients are
scenarios and other learning materials to at risk
help you apply the standards in your daily
work. You can test yourself as you go
along. There is also a dedicated student 9. Make sure your personal
professionalism resource area with behaviour maintains patients’
helpful information. confidence in you and the
dental profession
6 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

What is student Training providers are responsible for

determining the fitness to practise of
fitness to practise? individual students. The GDC does not have
any direct authority to deal with or advise on
individual cases of the fitness to practise or
Student fitness to practise, put simply, is
disciplinary issues of students.
meeting certain requirements during your
training relating to: As highlighted earlier, the GDC has the
legal authority to decide the standards
and learning outcomes that students must
Clinical/technical demonstrate at the point of qualifying in
and academic work order to register with the GDC.
As part of the GDC’s duty to protect
Professional the public, if a dentist or dental care
behaviour professional falls seriously short of the
standards expected of them, we can
remove them from the register, or restrict
Health what they do professionally. These powers
are given to us by parliament and cover
all registered dentists and dental care
professionals whether they are working in
This is a key part of managing the risks to the NHS or in private practice.
patient safety during training and helping This needs to be taken into account when
you develop the professional attributes deciding if student dental professionals are
required for registration with the GDC. fit to practise. It is important that where a
student displays signs of poor performance
or behaviour, these are addressed before
patients are put at risk.
7 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

As students you are expected to behave The GDC collects information annually from
in a professional and responsible manner all training providers on student fitness to
as set out in our standards and Preparing practise issues. This data is anonymous.
for Practice Document. If your behaviour We use this information to check how they
falls below these expected levels, there is are implementing the guidance and also
an issue with your clinical/technical and whether there are any patterns we may
academic work or there are concerns about need to provide further guidance on.
your health that may impact on your ability
You are required to declare student
to achieve the learning outcomes or affect
fitness to practise proceedings or
patient safety, the provider should consider
investigations on your GDC application.
if this amounts to a student fitness to
You must be aware that unprofessional
practise concern, and therefore warrants
behaviour, criminal convictions and
consideration through its formal procedures.
cautions or serious health problems that
The GDC ensures that all training providers have not been appropriately managed
must have a student fitness to practise during your training can affect your ability
policy and apply it as required. The content to register with the GDC and therefore
and significance of the student fitness to get a job as a dental professional. For more
practise procedures must be explained to information, see ‘Applying for registration
you by your provider. with the GDC’ on page 23.
8 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

Patients Patients should be provided with

information about your role, what standards
they can expect from a dental professional
Patients that receive care or treatment from student and what they should do if they
you while you are training expect you to put wish to provide feedback and/or are
their interests first. Depending on how your unhappy with the care they have been
course is designed you may be meeting given. Your training provider will assist
patients soon after you start. Think about with this. Look at the patient information
what you would expect from your dentist or provided by the GDC.
doctor to help see it from their perspective.
Patients will expect:
XX you to put their safety, health and Dental Patients
Information about receiving care and treatment from students

choices first
XX to be treated fairly with respect,
kindness, dignity and compassion
1

XX those involved in their care to

behave professionally
XX to be listened to and have their Communication
preferences and concerns considered
Good communication skills will help you
Good communication with patients is
interact with patients, their representatives,
an important part of effective care and it
the wider public, team members from the
is helpful to think about how your tone of
dental profession and the wider health and
voice and body language might
social care sector. Communication skills are
come across.
central to successful patient care - enabling
patient assessment, the obtaining of valid
‘There’s nothing impersonal about
patient consent and effective team working.
dentistry, it’s a very personal thing.
You’ve got to be able to handle people Most fitness to practise issues involve
in a sympathetic way. The way you an element of poor communication.
engage with the patient, is important.’ You should communicate appropriately,
(Patient – GDC Patient Public effectively and sensitively with those you
survey 2012) provide care for and work with.
Your training provider will provide you
with a thorough grounding in these skills
As a dental professional you must justify
but it is worth thinking about what good
the trust that people place in you by being
communication looks like throughout
honest and acting with integrity. You must
your course.
not discriminate against others or take
advantage of their vulnerability. Communication isn’t limited to direct
interaction with others but also about
others. Ensure your record keeping is
accurate, comprehensive, up to date, and
meets legal and statutory requirements.
There are laws around patient confidentiality
and data protection which your training
9 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

provider will teach you about and that you

must comply with. Use of social media
Health
should be considered very carefully. More
guidance can be found in the section on As a student you should:
‘Social media’. XX register with a GP;
Think about who you are communicating XX be aware that your own health conditions
with and make sure you adjust your style may put patients and colleagues at risk;
and language as appropriate. Ensure that
you explain the treatment you are providing
XX seek advice if there is a concern about
your health;
and check their understanding of what you
are communicating. What seems obvious XX accept that you may not be able to
to you, may be language or concepts assess your own health and be
which the patients and/or their carers willing to be referred for treatment
are unfamiliar with and may need further and engage in any recommended
explanation. This is very important when treatment programmes;
obtaining patient consent. The Standards XX protect patients, colleagues and yourself
for the Dental Team provides more by being immunised against common
information on what dental professionals are serious infectious diseases;
required to do.
XX be aware of the risks and regulation
surrounding Exposure Prone Procedures
Consider what, if any, are the barriers to (EPPs), Blood Borne Viruses (BBVs) and
effective communication and what are the
other infections;
options to overcome them. What would
be the best method of communication in XX not rely on your own or another student’s
different circumstances? assessment of the risk posed to patients
by your health, and seek advice from a
professional; and
XX be aware that dental professionals must
take action if their health poses a risk
Clinical/technical to patients or the public. Advice should
be sought from appropriate colleagues,
and academic professional or defence organisations.

performance
In order to qualify and be able to practise
independently as a safe beginner you will
need to meet the level expected in your
academic, clinical and/or technical work.
If there are issues meeting this level and
they are not addressed by the appropriate
stage on your course, through the support
provided, your fitness to practise may be
called into question.
10 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

Many students are affected by disabilities, Some examples of reasonable

including physical or mental health adjustments are:
conditions. If you have a disability or health
XX allowing extra time for written
condition, it is important to let your provider
assessments to take into account
know as early as possible so they can give
reading time that may be needed for a
you the appropriate support and, where
student with dyslexia;
appropriate, make reasonable adjustments
to enable you to complete the course. XX providing sufficient space in a patient
bay for a student requiring a
Reasonable adjustments are expected
wheelchair; and
to be made for students with disabilities
and other health requirements to allow XX providing a seat in clinic suitable for a
them to achieve the learning outcomes student with back pain.
on the course. Although adjustments will A disability or health condition may
not be made to the learning outcomes occasionally make it impossible for you
themselves to ensure patient and public meet the outcomes required by the GDC at
safety, reasonable adjustments can be the point of qualifying, despite reasonable
made to methods of teaching and learning adjustments having been made. Under
and assessments. Training providers such circumstances, it will be appropriate to
and employers are used to adapting the consider your fitness to practise.
environment and taking into account
learning styles, for example, to meet these Fitness to practise concerns will not, in
needs in order to help. the majority of cases, be raised by health
conditions or disability, provided you
receive the appropriate care and reasonable
adjustments necessary to study and work
safely in a clinical environment. Your training
provider should offer support and regular
reviews of your progress.
11 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

Raising concerns The professional

Raising concerns about your own or
duty of candour
another’s work, behaviour or health is
important for two reasons: You should make sure you are familiar with
what the Professional Duty of Candour
XX it may help protect patients and means. This covers your responsibility to be
other people open and honest:
XX it helps ensure students get the support XX Every healthcare professional must
and help they need be open and honest with patients
This is also an important part of your when something goes wrong with their
responsibility as a registrant once you treatment or care which causes, or has
begin work. Healthcare professionals must the potential to cause, harm or distress.
be open and honest with their colleagues, Further information can be found in the
employers and relevant organisations, and GDC publication on Duty of Candour
take part in reviews and investigations when
requested. Health and care professionals
must also be open and honest with
their regulators, raising concerns where Social media
appropriate. They must support and
encourage each other to be open and The GDC has published clear guidance to
honest and not stop someone from help registrants use social media. This can
raising concerns. be found on our website.
Advice on raising concerns can be found
here on our website. Social media
Guidance on using social media

Social networking sites and other social media are effective ways of communicating with others on
both a personal and professional level.

Social media covers a number of internet based tools including, but not limited to, blogs, internet
forums, content communities and social networking sites such as Twitter, YouTube, Facebook,
LinkedIn, GDPUK, Instagram and Pinterest.

Professional social networking websites aimed solely at dental professionals are also forms of social
media and are covered by this guidance.

Professional standards

4.2.3 of the Standards for the Dental Team states:

‘You must not post any information or comments about patients on social networking or
blogging sites. If you use professional social media to discuss anonymised cases for the
purpose of discussing best practice you must be careful that the patient or patients cannot be
Advice for Dental Professionals on Raising Concerns identified.’

The standards expected of dental professionals do not change because they are communicating
To go to an individual sections please click on the relevant heading below. through social media, rather than face to face or by other traditional media. As a dental professional
you have a responsibility to behave professionally and responsibly both online and offline.

However, because anything that is said on social media is instantly made public, it creates new
1. About this advice ............................................................................................................ 2
circumstances in which the standards apply. Your professional responsibilities, such as patient
2. What is ‘raising a concern’? ........................................................................................... 3 confidentiality and professional courtesy, are still fundamental when you use social media.
3. The duty to raise a concern ............................................................................................ 5
4. How to raise a concern .................................................................................................. 6 When using social media, you must:
Raise the concern internally .............................................................................................. 6
a) Maintain and protect patients’ information by not publishing any information which could
If you can’t raise your concern in your workplace .............................................................. 7 identify them on social media without their explicit consent;
When to contact the GDC or other regulator ..................................................................... 7
b) Maintain appropriate boundaries in the relationships you have with patients and other members
Anonymity and confidentiality ............................................................................................ 8
of the dental team;
Making your concerns public ............................................................................................10
5. Investigating concerns – advice for employers and practice managers ........................11 c) Comply with any internet and social media policy set out by your employer.
Responsibility to handle concerns ....................................................................................11
Training ............................................................................................................................11
Policies and procedures ...................................................................................................11
An open and transparent workplace can improve services ..............................................12
General Dental Council 37 Wimpole Street London W1G 8DQ
6. Advice for students........................................................................................................13
7. Education providers ......................................................................................................13 +44 (0)20 7167 6000 [email protected] www.gdc-uk.org Page 1
8. Sources of help and advice ...........................................................................................14
Where can I get help and advice? ....................................................................................14
Useful contacts .................................................................................................................14

1
The standards expected of you as a
student do not change when you are
What should you do if you have a concern communicating through social media rather
about your own or another’s work, than face to face or by traditional media.
behaviour or health? As a student dental professional, you have
a responsibility to behave professionally
We do understand that it may be difficult and responsibly both online and offline.
to tell someone about a concern you Your online image can impact on your
have about yourself, another student, or professional life and you should not
a member of staff, even your supervisor post or share any information, including
or teacher. Your training provider will give photographs and videos, which damage
you information about the different ways public trust in dental professionals. Even
you can do this and provide a supportive if you do not present yourself online as a
environment to help you do this. They will student dental professional a patient may
aim to support and help those who have a still be able to identify you as such.
concern raised against them.
12 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

What are your

training provider’s
responsibilities?
Your training provider should deliver
guidance and support from the beginning of
your training by explaining what:
XX may be considered as a student fitness
It is important to remember that anything to practise issue;
you or others post on social media is in the XX support is available for students;
public domain and can be easily copied
and redistributed without your knowledge.
XX the GDC may consider an issue that calls
your fitness to practise in question;
You should presume that, even with the
highest security settings, everything that XX their student fitness to practise policy
you share online will be there permanently and processes are; and
and could be seen by anyone. You should XX you may need to declare on your
also consider any potential concerns registration application.
around patient confidentiality, for example
there are risks around the taking of clinical They should promote and emphasise the
photographs on your mobile phone and GDC standards throughout the course and
devices which can be lost or stolen and provide appropriate support.
data or images transferred to
other locations.

What are your

responsibilities?
From the beginning of your training you
have a responsibility to:
XX ensure you are familiar with this
document and the standards expected
of students;
XX meet the Standards for the Dental Team;
XX discuss concerns with your training
provider if you are concerned about
you or another student not meeting
these standards ;
XX discuss any patient safety concerns with
your training provider; and
XX know what you need to declare on your
registration application.
13 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

What might affect Everyone can be susceptible to one or

more of these issues any of which can
my performance or impact your work. If this happens to you
we encourage you to tell someone such
study as a student as your supervisor or trainer if there are

dental professional any issues either on your course or in your

home life. Some of these may be out of your
and who should I control and it is important this is recognised.
If you have any problems dealing with
speak to about it? them, support and advice is available and
performance issues can be avoided.
Being a student is a rewarding and
challenging experience. At the end of the
course you will be working in a healthcare
role which will make a difference to patients’
health. You are learning new information,
practising new skills, meeting new people,
developing responsibility for patient care
and also being assessed.
There are a lot of factors that might affect
your behaviour and how well you do on
your course. These are some examples of
common issues that it is good to be aware
of, and you should consider letting your
supervisor know about:
XX ill health (both physical and mental) –
yours, that of a friend, or a member of
your family;
XX family commitments;
XX bereavement;
XX academic or other stress;
XX bullying or harassment;
XX financial pressures, part-time job;
XX relationship issues – whether family or
personal relationships;
XX drug, alcohol, or addiction issues;
XX balance between social life and
study; and
XX patient feedback.
14 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

What support direct you to a range of people or services

depending on what you are concerned
is available for about. These may include:

students? XX personal tutor;

XX student health services;
It is important for you to have the XX disability advisors;
opportunity, where possible, to seek
support for any matter before it becomes
XX occupational health services;
a fitness to practise concern. This is so XX confidential counselling eg through your
that appropriate help can be provided for university/college support services;
you. You are learning, and it is expected XX student groups; and
that you may make mistakes and will need
help and support at some point during the XX your employer.
course. This is a normal part of the training You can also look at the section at the
process. Human error will happen from time end of this document for a list of useful
to time whether a dental professional is in organisations and guidance. Professional
training or working once qualified. What is bodies may also have helpful advice
as important is your response. and resources.
If you are worried there are issues with If necessary, you and your training provider
your work, health or behaviour you should should agree plans that you develop
ask your training provider who is the best together to help with health, behaviour,
person to speak to. They will be able to or work issues before fitness to practise
becomes a concern. Your employer may
be involved too. However, the decision
on the plans made must be based on an
assessment by your training provider of the
risk to patients and the public.
If fitness to practise concerns are
identified, it may be appropriate for your
training provider to offer support to you
alongside fitness to practise procedures
and sanctions.
15 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

Confidentiality What if my trainer is my employer?

It is important to feel you can discuss On some programmes your employer
problems, whether about yourself or may also be your trainer which may cause
others, in a supportive and confidential concern when raising issues. All training
environment. Your training provider should providers, whether their students learn in
facilitate this. a university, college, or an employment
location such as a dental practice or dental
Anyone who provides you with support
laboratory, should provide you with a clear
or pastoral care should not be involved in
process and supportive environment for
investigating or making decisions that could
raising concerns. If for any reason you don’t
affect your career, even though personal
feel you can report your concern to your
tutors may often raise the initial concern.
trainer/supervisor you should be able to find
Your training provider has a responsibility out from your provider an alternative person
to be aware of and comply with relevant to speak to. This may be someone from the
legislation in order to protect your university, college, NHS Trust or awarding
confidentiality. This includes supervisors body that oversees your course.
and tutors in work placements.
16 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

What actions and behaviours are expected of

those preparing to become dental professionals?
The Standards for the Dental Team sets out principles of professional conduct across a range of
areas. As a student preparing to become a dental professional you should be starting to embed
those principles into how you work, particularly in relation to patients. Here are some examples
of how you can demonstrate the standards as a student, and also some indicators of the types of
behaviour that might cause your professionalism to be called into question:

Principle Examples of how you can Examples of where there would

demonstrate the principles  be concerns 

1. Put patients’ XX Treating patients with respect XX Failing to adhere to cross

interests first and dignity contamination/infection
XX Taking prompt action if you notice procedures
that patients might be at risk XX Misleading patients about their
due to the health, behaviour or care or treatment
professional performance of you,
teaching staff, other students,
your employer or the clinical/
technical environment
XX Ensuring you find out about the
laws and regulations which apply
to your clinical/technical practice.

2. Communicate XX Listening to patients XX Persistent rudeness to patients

effectively XX Encouraging patients to ask XX Repeatedly failing to alter your
with patients questions, and being ready to communication style to meet the
explain their care and treatment needs of the patient
XX Thinking about the best way to XX Not checking patients have fully
communicate with patients and understood the information you
giving them the information they have given them
need in a way they can understand

3. Obtain valid XX Documenting the discussions XX Failing to obtain valid consent

consent you have with patients and from a patient
the supervising registrant XX Not explaining all treatment
about consent options and advantages and
XX Making sure patients understand disadvantages of each to the
the decisions they are being asked patient so they make an
to make informed decision
XX Making sure the patient’s consent
remains valid at each stage, and
if necessary, obtaining it again
17 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

Principle Examples of how you can Examples of where there would

demonstrate the principles  be concerns 

4. Maintain XX Making and keeping up to date, XX Breach of confidentiality

and protect complete and accurate XX Sharing images or other
patients’ patient records information about patients online
information XX Keeping patients’ information XX Speaking about patients where
secure at all times you can be overheard by people
who shouldn’t have access to
patient information
XX Failure to keep appropriate
patient records

5. Have a clear XX Being aware of your training XX Being unnecessarily defensive if a

and effective provider’s complaints procedure patient complains
complaints and following it XX Not responding to the advice or
procedure XX Listening to a patient’s complaint support offered by your training
politely and providing a prompt provider as a result of a complaint
and constructive response XX Failing to apologise if appropriate
XX Learning from a complaint to
improve your work

6. Work with XX Treating other students and XX Bullying other students or

colleagues members of the team with respect members of the team
in a way that XX Understanding the roles of XX Being dismissive of the value of
is in patients everyone in the team other members of the dental team
bests XX Letting your training provider know
interests if you have any worries relating to
your supervision
XX Introducing yourself and explaining
what your role is to the patient

7. Maintain, XX Showing commitment to the work XX Behaviour indicating lack of

develop necessary to become a competent commitment to work eg repeated
and work and professional practitioner, non-attendance
within your including appropriate attendance XX Failing to recognise your limits
professional XX Achievement of learning outcomes and abilities
knowledge XX Recognising when to ask for
and skills advice and support and doing
so promptly
18 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

Principle Examples of how you can Examples of where there would

demonstrate the principles  be concerns 

8. Raise XX Letting your supervisor or XX Failure to seek medical attention

concerns if employer know if you think there or other support if health
patients are may be a risk to patient concerns, including mental health
at risk safety due to the health, behaviour issues, are raised
or professional performance of XX Alcohol or drug consumption
you, teaching staff, other that affects clinical/technical work
students, employer or the or environment
clinical/technical environment
XX Refusal to follow medical advice
XX Acting promptly in these situations or care plan including monitoring
XX Support other students to raise and reviews
concerns if they need it

9. Make sure XX Treating other students, staff on XX Behaviours associated with

your personal your course and the public with dishonesty eg cheating,
behaviour respect and dignity plagiarising, claiming registrant
maintains XX Telling your tutor or an appropriate status before you are qualified
patients’ professional if you are worried that XX Misuse of social media
confidence your health, behaviour or work XX Serious driving offence
in you and may be an issue
XX Failing to co-operate with support
the dental XX Responding positively to advice advised if an issue is raised with
profession provided on any issues with your your work, behaviour or student
health behaviour and work fitness to practise proceedings
XX Appropriate conduct outside of XX Behaviours involving or associated
your studies in the evenings or at with potential criminality eg
the weekend dealing, possessing or misusing
drugs/illegal substances even if
there are no legal proceedings
XX Discrimination or other unlawful
behaviour relating to different
groups in the population
XX Becoming involved in
criminal activity
XX Violent behaviour
XX Abusive behaviour
XX Sexual harassment
XX Theft including shoplifting
XX Gaining a criminal conviction
or caution
XX Financial fraud
19 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

What happens if What happens if

you don’t meet the you have been
standards? through student
There are a variety of things that can
fitness to practise
happen depending on what the issue is and proceedings and
how serious things are. These range from:
XX simple support in terms of extra training everything has been
or treatment of a health problem which resolved?
can get you back on track quickly. This is
what happens in the majority of cases.
If you have been through formal student
XX to the training provider requiring the fitness to practise proceedings, your training
issue to be considered under its student provider has followed the GDC guidance
fitness to practise process with a appropriately, and a decision has been
possibility of formal sanctions including made to allow you to qualify, there should
removal from the training programme. be no reason for us to refuse registration
This would happen in the most serious unless issues had come to light of which the
cases where, for example, a student’s training provider had been unaware.
behaviour had put patients at serious
Students already registered with the GDC
risk and there was no insight shown by
the student. This is quite rare and, if any, Some students may already be registrants
there are usually a maximum of only one with the GDC, for example, dental nurses
or two cases each year on a course. training to become orthodontic therapists,
dental hygienists training to become dental
therapists or dental technicians training to
become clinical dental technicians. If you
are registered as a member of the dental
team and training to become registered in
another category then you and your training
provider must report a concern about your
fitness to practise directly to the GDC.
20 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

How does the Recognising there is a problem –

or insight
student fitness It is worth remembering that one of the
to practise biggest factors contributing to a student
facing formal fitness to practise proceedings
process work? is a lack of recognition of the problem or
insight. If you can see what the problem is,
recognise what you need to do and take
Your training provider should provide
the advice or support recommended, then
you, and all others involved, with clear
usually things can be resolved.
information about all stages of the process.
1. If a concern is raised there will be an
initial investigation. A neutral member of Warnings
staff should carry out the investigation. A warning would occur where there is
They will have full access to your evidence of misconduct but your student
student record and will meet with you fitness to practise is not impaired and
and other relevant people to get as wide does not require any of the sanctions listed
a range of evidence as appropriate. If below. This will remain on your student
no evidence is found then you will carry record and you must declare it when
on in your training as before. If there are applying to the GDC for registration.
some issues that need addressing they
may be relatively minor and resolved by
you agreeing to additional support and
supervision for a period of time.

2. If the issues continue, or are more

serious, they may be referred to a fitness
to practise panel or committee through
formal student fitness to practise
procedures. You should be informed
of this in writing and be offered an
opportunity to present written evidence.
There may be a formal hearing where
you have to appear at a meeting with
the panel/committee and answer
questions about the issues and present
evidence on how you are addressing
them. The panel will make a decision on
the appropriate course of action to help
you become fit to practise, or whether
it is best for you to leave the course.
These are called sanctions. Alternatively
they may provide you with a warning or
find there is no issue and allow you to
continue training. A student fitness to
practise hearing is not a legal hearing.
21 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

Sanctions Conditions
There are four types of sanctions: Conditions such as remedial tuition and
increased supervision may be applied where
XX Undertakings
there is a significant concern about your
XX Conditions fitness to practise, you have shown insight
XX Suspension from the course in to your problems and there is a good
chance this will help you get back on track.
XX Expulsion from the course You must declare conditions when applying
to the GDC for registration.
Undertakings
This is an agreement between you and Suspension from the course
the training provider where it is found that This would occur to prevent you continuing
your fitness to practise is impaired and with the course for a period of time.
you acknowledge this. This agreement is Suspensions occur when the concerns
usually taken forward before and instead about your fitness to practise are serious
of a formal hearing. Undertakings may but not so serious as to justify immediate
include restrictions on your clinical practice expulsion from the course. You would
or behaviour, or a commitment to undergo be expected to comply with any further
medical supervision or remedial teaching. conditions when returning to the course.
These do not need to be declared when You must declare suspension and further
applying to the GDC for registration. conditions when applying to the GDC
for registration.

Expulsion from the course

The most severe sanction is the panel’s
decision that expelling you is the only way
to protect patients and the public. Your
behaviour would be judged to be completely
incompatible with that of continuing on the
course or eventually practising as a dentist
or dental care professional. It may mean
that you should not be accepted on any
course in the future that leads to registration
with the GDC. The severity of this
situation makes such cases very rare.
22 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

Overview
Here is an overview of what happens from the point of a concern being raised about a student’s
work, health or behaviour.

No evidence
Issue raised
issues closed

Low level Support/ Issue

Investigation
concern supervision resolved

High level
Under takings
concern

Expulsion Issue ongoing Review

Student
continues in
training
Suspension

Support/
Student
supervision
fitness to
Conditions/
Appeal practise
undertakings
hearing or
determination

Warning but
no sanctions

No warning or
sanction

Formal student fitness to practise proceedings

Should you have to attend a student fitness to practise hearing your training provider will allow
you to be represented or have a supporter present. Although it is not a formal legal process it does
follow a formally agreed fitness to practise procedure. You may wish to seek legal advice to help you
through the process and have legal representation should you have to attend a hearing. If you are a
student member of a defence/protection society or professional body you may be eligible to receive
free advice.
Appeals
Your training provider will have a clear appeals procedure for student fitness to practise decisions
setting out what the process is and what can be considered.
Equality and diversity
Your training provider, wherever they are based, is required to know what their equality and diversity
responsibilities are and to comply with them.
23 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

Applying for Declaring criminal convictions

and cautions
registration with As well as student fitness to practise
the GDC proceedings you also need to declare
criminal convictions and cautions. This
When you apply for registration with the applies to both current and past convictions
GDC you need to declare whether there are and cautions, before or during your training.
any issues which may affect your fitness to They include:
practise. Failure to declare issues is viewed XX being charged with a criminal offence
seriously and may affect your registration.
Click the image to see a copy of the
XX being found guilty of a criminal offence
application guidance. XX receiving a conditional discharge for
an offence
UK Dentist Pre-Application Guidance
XX accepting a criminal caution (including
a conditional caution), or otherwise
UK Dentist Pre-Application Guidance

Application Guidance Notes

Please ensure you have read and understood the following guidance before completing an application.
Once complete, please return your application form, character and identity reference and supporting documents to:

Registration Department

formally admit to committing a

General Dental Council
2nd Floor, 43-45 Portman Square
London W1H 6HN

If your application is successful, the GDC will:

 Contact you to make payment of your application fee; then

 Add your name and registered address to the GDC’s online register; and
 Issue a certificate of registration to your registered address.

criminal offence
Your period of registration lasts until 31 December of the year in which you are registered.
It is a criminal offence for any person other than someone registered with the General Dental Council to practise dentistry in
the UK.
If the Registrar has any doubt about an application, they reserve the right to require an applicant to attend an interview in
person at the Council’s offices.

Documents required
Please place a tick against the documents that you are supplying with your application. Your character reference will need to
see the original qualification certificate, identity documents and passport photograph for them to certify the copies by
countersigning and dating each one.

Original documents

XX accepting the option of paying a penalty

We strongly advise all applicants to send certified photocopies with their application. Please do not send original
documents with your application; if you do send original documents and need them returned, there is a £10
administration fee for this.

The character reference

If you are applying for registration within 12 months of graduation the character reference must be provided by the head of
your dental training school, or their nominee.
If you are applying for registration more than 12 months after graduation the character reference can be provided by
another professional such as a doctor, a dentist or a lawyer who has known you for over 12 months. The character
reference cannot be provided by a member of your family.
The GDC will only use the information provided by the referee to assess your fitness for registration. The person writing
the character reference should include any information about your (the applicant’s) character or health which might raise
a question about their suitability for registration.

notice for a disorder offence (in England

The character reference must also certify copies of the supporting documentation required with your application; they must
compare the original and the copies, countersign and date to certify they match the original.
The Registrar will decide whether or not the information is relevant and whether any further inquiries need to be made.

Evidence of identity
You must provide a clear colour photocopy of one of the following documents, certified by your character referee:
 a valid passport (including the machine readable zone (MRZ); or
 a valid photocard driving licence (colour copy of the front and back of the photocard document); or
 a valid ID card issued by the armed forces (front and back of the document); or
 a valid EEA ID card (front and back of the document).

www.gdc-uk.org 1 Online Application: Version 1.2 (April 2016)

and Wales), a penalty notice under the
Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 or a
fixed penalty notice under the Antisocial
UK Dental Care Professional
Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004
Pre-Application Guidance
UK Dental Care Professional Pre-Application Guidance
XX receiving a formal adult warning
in Scotland.
Application Guidance Notes
Please ensure you have read and understood the following guidance before completing an application.
Once complete, please return your application form, character and identity reference and supporting documents to:

Registration Department
General Dental Council
2nd Floor, 43-45 Portman Square
London W1H 6HN

If your application is successful, the GDC will:

 Contact you to make payment of your application fee; then

You do not need to inform the GDC of the

 Add your name and registered address to the GDC’s online register; and
 Issue a certificate of registration to your registered address.

Your period of registration lasts until 31 July of the year in which you are registered.
It is a criminal offence for any person other than someone registered with the General Dental Council to practise dentistry
in the UK.
If the Registrar has any doubt about an application, they reserve the right to require an applicant to attend an interview in
person at the Council’s offices.

Documents required

following:
Please place a tick against the documents that you are supplying with your application. Your character reference will need to
see the original qualification certificate, identity documents and passport photograph for them to certify the copies by
countersigning and dating each one.

Original documents
We strongly advise all applicants to send certified photocopies with their application. Please do not send original
documents with your application; if you do send original documents and need them returned, there is a £10
administration fee for this.

The character reference

All applicants must provide a completed character and identity reference. The referee must not be a member of your family.
The person providing you with a character and identity reference must also certify the photocopies of the documents

XX a fixed penalty notice for a road

that you are submitting with your application. We will use the information provided in this section to assess your fitness
for registration and to confirm your identity.
A referee can sign the character and identity reference if they are:

 the head of the applicant’s dental training school or their nominee, the person responsible for supervision of
the applicant’s training; or another person of professional standing (in any country) such as a:
 dentist;  civil servant;
 doctor;  officer of the armed forces;
 pharmacist;  optician;
 minister of religion;  police officer;
 person entitled to practise law;  member of parliament (MP); or

traffic offence
 chiropodist;  teacher.

They should include any information about your character which might raise a question about your suitability for registration.
The Registrar will decide whether or not the information is relevant and whether any further enquiries need to be made.

www.gdc-uk.org 1 Online Application: Version 1.2 (April 2016)

XX a fixed penalty notice issued by local

Declaring student fitness to authorities (for example for offences
such as dog fouling, or graffiti)
practise proceedings
If you have been subject to fitness to
XX an anti-social behaviour, preventative
justice, or other social order.
practise proceedings during training you
must provide details on your application for
registration with the GDC. You will need to
include a description of the proceedings
undertaken or contemplated, including the
approximate date of the proceedings.
24 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

These may have been incurred as part of We need to know about any risk your health
student fitness to practise proceedings. condition may pose to patient safety or to
Failure to declare criminal convictions your ability to do your job safely, not so
and cautions is viewed as dishonest and much about the condition itself. This may
incompatible with professional behaviour vary from person to person, and may also
and being on the register. It is likely be affected by the impact of your condition,
to lead to referral to the Investigating the help you may be receiving, and how
Committee and then Professional Conduct much insight you have into its effect on your
Committee and can affect your registration. practice. We recognise that your ability to
Convictions/cautions considered spent work safely can be enhanced by the support
should still be declared as they may lead network you have, whether that is your
to a referral to the Investigating Committee dental school/training provider, at work or at
and can affect your registration. More home from the clinician(s) treating you.
detailed guidance can be found in the GDC
Further information is available in
document Criminal convictions
the GDC document
and cautions.
Health self-certification guidance.

Health self-certification

Health self-certification guidance

Introduction: Your health and fitness to practise

1. This guidance explains the circumstances in which you need to tell us about any relevant
health condition(s), so please read it carefully.
2. The General Dental Council (GDC) has a statutory duty under ss15 and 36C of the Dentists
Act 1984 to be satisfied that a person is in good health, both physically and mentally, before
they are registered.
3. Putting patients’ interests first is the first principle in our Standards. To do this, you need to
take into account your own health and wellbeing.
4. If you can show that you are properly managing your health condition, there should be no
impact on your application to join the register.
5. Although we do not provide a non-exhaustive list of relevant health conditions, we do provide
some examples within the guidance notes on the application form. We need to know about
any risk your health condition may pose to patient safety or to your ability to do your job
safely, not so much about the condition itself.
6. This may vary from person to person, and may also be affected by the impact of your
condition, the help you may be receiving, and how much insight you have into its effect on
your practice.
7. We recognise that your ability to work safely can be enhanced by the support network you
have, whether that was your dental school/training provider, at work or at home from the
clinician(s) treating you.
8. Throughout this guidance we use the term 'health condition' to mean an illness, injury or
disability/impairment either physical or mental.

What do the General Dental Council Standards for the Dental Team say about registrants’
health?

9. The General Dental Council (GDC) Standards for the Dental Team sets out the standards of
conduct, performance and ethics that govern you as a dental professional.
10. Registrants have an individual responsibility to behave professionally and follow these
principles at all times.
11. The standards set out what registrants must do. If you do not meet these standards, you may
be removed from our register and not be able to work as a dental professional.
12. In regard to registrants’ health, the following applies:
a. Standard 9.2.1 states “If you know, or suspect, that patients may be at risk because
of your health, behaviour or professional performance, you must consult a suitably
qualified colleague immediately and follow advice on how to put the interests of
patients first.”
b. Standard 9.2.2 states “You must not rely on your own assessment of the risk you
pose to patients. You should seek occupational health advice or other appropriate
advice as soon as possible.”

Page 1 of 5

You need to declare any health condition:

meaning any illness, injury or disability/
impairment either physical or mental. The
GDC has a duty to be satisfied that a person
is in good health, both physically and
mentally, before they are registered. Putting
patients’ interests first is the first principle in
our standards. To do this, you need to take
into account your own health and wellbeing.
If you can show that you are properly
managing your health condition, there
should be no impact on your application to
join the register.
25 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

Your referee or other person discloses when their

application is submitted to us. The GDC has
You are required to provide a character and
the right to refuse registration in appropriate
identity reference on your GDC registration
cases and in line with legal requirements.
application form. Referees can include a
member of staff from your training provider, If there are issues that are serious enough
for instance: to require a refusal of registration – for
example, if a training provider’s decision
XX the head of the applicant’s dental training
to pass a student may not address the
school or their nominee; or
concerns raised later at the point of
XX the person responsible for supervision registration – the GDC may work with the
of the applicant’s training (e.g. practice training provider to arrive at a reasonable
manager, deputy manager). decision about the applicant.
They are required to report formal student
fitness to practise proceedings or other
issues which would raise questions about List of useful
an applicant’s fitness to practise. A full list
of people that can provide a reference can organisations
be found in the guidance section of the DCP
and Dentist registration forms. and guidance
How does the GDC make a decision on
a registration application where issues
List of useful organisations and guidance
We have compiled a list of organisations1 and guidance documents that may help you to
ensure that you are aware of, and are adhering to, laws, regulations and best practice
guidance affecting your work.

This list is not exhaustive; you have an individual responsibility to find out about laws and
regulations that apply to your clinical practice, premises and employment of staff, and must
follow them at all times.

are reported?
1. Professional Associations

2. Indemnity Providers

3. Departments of Health

4. Other regulators

In every case the GDC will look at the

5.Organisations

6. Guidance Documents

7. Legislation and Regulations

information and apply the principle of

8. Patient Groups

proportionality. We look at: 1

If you are an organisation that would like to be included in this list, please contact
[email protected]

XX the seriousness of the issue raised

The GDC website has a webpage for
XX the potential implications for public and students where you can find all the GDC
patient safety documents you need, and links to helpful
XX the potential implications for confidence information from other organisations.
and trust in the profession http://www.gdc-uk.org/Dentalprofessionals/
XX the impact it would have on the applicant studentprofessionalism/Pages/default.aspx
and ask whether refusal of registration
would be a proportionate response.
As mentioned earlier if you have been
through formal student fitness to practise
proceedings, your training provider has
followed the GDC guidance appropriately,
and a decision has been made to allow you
to qualify, there should be no reason for
us to refuse registration unless issues had
come to light of which the training provider
had been unaware.
The GDC has a duty to assess the
implications of any issue that an applicant
26 Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise

If you have accessibility needs and require the

document in a different format, please let us
know what adjustments you require. The GDC
is committed to ensuring our publications are as
accessible as possible. We can be contacted at:

General Dental Council

37 Wimpole Street
London
W1G 8DQ

Phone: 020 7167 6000

Email: [email protected]
Web: www.gdc-uk.org
October 2016