This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
www.mddus.com DENTISTS URGED TO TWEET WITH CARE


BDA CAREERS DAY 2014


TALKS on NHS and private job opportunities, a CV clinic and clinical demonstrations are some of the highlights of the BDA Careers Day 2014. High profile speakers include chair of NHS


England Sir Malcolm Grant and chief dental officer for England Barry Cockroft. The event takes place at University of


London’s Senate House on Friday, February 7 and offers the chance to meet potential employers. Among the specialties discussed are oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics and special care dentistry. There is also advice for those considering working abroad. Fees start from £52 for dental students with


discounts available for foundation dentists. Find out more at at www.bda.org/


SOCIAL media savvy dentists are urged to keep professional and personal relationships separate when using Twitter and Facebook. This advice comes from MDDUS in light of


the new GDC Standards for the Dental Team which for the first time includes guidance on using social media. MDDUS Head of Dental Division Aubrey


Craig said: “It is vitally important to keep professional and personal relationships separate. Dentists who interact with patients via social media risk blurring these boundaries. Before tweeting or posting on Facebook, dentists should consider any potential impact on their patients that could arise as a result of their tweet or post.” The guidance advises dentists to “think


carefully before accepting friend requests from patients.” Craig, however, believes the


best course of action is to decline any such request. “In order to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with patients, dentists should politely refuse any friend request and explain to the patient the need to maintain professional boundaries,” he said. The GDC guidance recognises online discussions about anonymised patients and best practice can have an educational and professional benefit, but states: “If you use social media to discuss anonymised cases for the purpose of discussing best practice, you must be careful that the patient or patients cannot be identified.” Dental practitioners are also reminded


that posting information under another username does not guarantee confidentiality and they should check privacy settings to control who can access tweets or posts.


UPDATED SCOPE OF PRACTICE GUIDANCE ONLINE


RECENT changes reflecting the new direct access agreement for dental care professionals have been incorporated in the GDC’s revised Scope of Practice guidance which is now available to download. Scope of Practice was first published in 2009 and sets out the skills and abilities which each registrant group should have on qualification, along with further skills which registrants in each group may go on to develop during the course of their careers. The updated version of the guidance takes account of recent changes in dental regulation and has been published along with the new Standards for the Dental Team . Key changes reflected in the new guidance


refer to DCPs such as dental nurses, hygienists, dental therapists and orthodontic therapists. The main update for dentists is the inclusion of providing non-surgical cosmetic injectables in additional skills. The guidance reminds registrants that


they must only undertake a task or type of treatment or make decisions about a patient’s


careersday, by calling Dawn Mifsud on 0207 905 1261 or on d.mifsud@ucl.ac.uk


NEW STANDARDS FOR DENTAL PROFESSION


NEW GDC standards for the dental profession now in effect place a much stronger focus on patients’ expectations and entitlements. Standards for the Dental Team replaces the


previous guidance Standards for dental professionals. Any complaint made about a dental professional in regard to their behaviour or conduct will be judged against the standards and guidance in this document. Among new issues addressed are principles


care if they are sure they have the necessary skills and are appropriately trained and indemnified. Read more at tinyurl.com/nmhluzy


of communication and personal behaviour including a requirement to be fluent in written and spoken English. There is greater emphasis on softer skills, such as helping patients feel more comfortable, and new requirements to display indicative prices for treatment. Standards for the Dental Team is supplemented by additional guidance on topics including advertising, prescribing, indemnity, reporting criminal proceedings and scope of practice (see news story, left).


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16