Student Professionalism and Fitness to Practise Guidance for Students PDF 2016-2017

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, pe...

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 requir