Questions and Answers in Oral Health Education. Chloe Foxhall

You must maintain appropriate boundaries in the relationships you have with patients. You must not take advantage of your position as a dental professional in your relationships with patients.

       Standard 9.2 Protect patients and colleagues from risks posed by your health, conduct or performance.

      9.2.1 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.

      9.2.2 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.

       Standard 9.3 Inform the GDC if you are subject to criminal proceedings or a regulatory finding is made against you anywhere in the world.

      9.3.1 You must inform the GDC immediately if you are subject to any criminal proceedings anywhere in the world.

      9.3.2 You must inform the GDC immediately if you are subject to the fitness to practise procedures of another healthcare regulator, either in the United Kingdom or abroad.

      9.3.3 You must inform the GDC immediately if a finding has been made against your registration by another healthcare regulator, either in the United Kingdom or abroad.

      9.3.4 You must inform the GDC immediately if you are placed on a barred list held by either the Disclosure and Barring Service or Disclosure Scotland.

Standard 9.4 Cooperate with any relevant formal or informal inquiry and give full and truthful information.

      9.4.1 If you receive a letter from the GDC in connection with concerns about your fitness to practise, you must respond fully within the time specified in the letter. You should also seek advice from your indemnity provider or professional association.

      9.4.2 You must cooperate with:

       commissioners of health;

       other healthcare regulators;

       hospital trusts carrying out any investigation;

       the Coroner or Procurator Fiscal acting to investigate a death;

       any other regulatory body;

       the Health and Safety Executive; and

       any solicitor, barrister, or advocate representing patients or colleagues.