Section 7Dental Dilemmas
The sound of silence DDU advice
A hygienist had been working with a patient to The hygienist contacted the DDU for assistance and was
improve her periodontal condition over a number advised to acknowledge the GDC’s letter and then to
of visits. The patient’s oral hygiene had gradually send in all the relevant documents. A DDU solicitor was
improved, so the hygienist started to carry out instructed to represent the member during the GDC
deeper scaling. investigation and the member met with the solicitor to
The patient had mentioned to the receptionist at the
discuss how to respond to the allegations made by the
previous visit that the scaling had been performed in
patient. The member was accompanied by her practice
‘quite a hard’ manner, so when she returned for her next
manager who was able to corroborate the member’s
appointment there was a note on the computer records
version of events and provide useful background
for the hygienist to be ‘gentle’. For this reason, the
information to the legal team.
hygienist took extra care to check all was well before Following the meeting the solicitor drafted a detailed
starting treatment. She checked that the patient was letter of response on the member’s behalf. In denying
happy for her to use the ultrasonic scaler as well as hand the allegations, the letter provided a thorough
instruments, and she advised the patient that if she felt explanation of the hygienist’s usual practice, including a
any discomfort she should raise her hand and the detailed account of how she explained to patients the
hygienist would stop immediately. procedures and instruments she was planning to use
The hygienist routinely used optical loupes when
during a treatment session, as well as the methods the
performing scaling and polishing, and so she put the
patient could use to stop treatment at any stage.
loupes on and commenced treatment. The treatment The hygienist apologised for any dissatisfaction the
was uneventful and the patient left. patient had about the level of service she had received
A little later, the hygienist was notified by the GDC that
but categorically denied ever using a personal music
the patient had complained about her use of the
player while treating patients. She explained that she
ultrasonic scaler which she said was excessive. The patient
routinely used optical loupes and suggested that the
also complained that the member was not concentrating
patient may have mistakenly thought they were
while at work. She alleged that she was not concentrating
headphones.
because she was listening to music through headphones Shortly after receiving the letter from the DDU, the
during treatment. GDC’s Investigating Committee wrote to confirm that the
case was to be closed without further action.
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