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Ask Dental ProtectionQ. I am worried by two pieces of advice from the GDC about bleaching.Q. A patient has requested their dental x-rays because they want to have dental treatment provided abroad where it is cheaper. Can I give them to the patient?Q. My former practice has just contacted me to say that a patient is now complaining that there is a problem with a tooth I filled many years ago. She has regularly attended the same surgery and has been examined by two other associates. Can I really be held responsible for her problem?Q. I am keen to involve my hygienist in providing tooth whitening in the surgery for our patients. What are the legal and training requirements?Q. Using automatic external defibrillators without any training in an emergency in the absence of any trained users.Q. I have joined a practice that is owned by a dentist who belongs to a different defence organisation. He has told me that I need to join his defence organisation because my dental nurse will not have indemnity. Is this true?Q. Can I refuse to treat an aggresive patient? Q. Can you tell me if the dental nurses assisting in the process of sedation need any particular training?Q. Should I only see patients in the presence of a registered nurse?Q. A patient was obviously in pain whilst being treated by the hygienist.Q. My dental nurse wants to buy into the business which is registered as a dental body corporate. Is that legal?Q. My dentist consistently omits to check the medical history form or get the patient to sign it.Q. Do I need any additional indemnity when I am supervising a younger colleague?Q. Do I need to buy an automatic external defibrillator for the surgery?Q. Does my NHS practice have to register with the Care Quality Commission?Q. How long have I got to comply with the decontamination guidance from the Department of Health? Q. Is it advisable for a dentist to apologise if a patient experiences pain after treatment?Q. Does the GDC define the training required for a dentist to provide dental treatment for patients under sedation?Q. I have seen a radiograph reporting service on the internet which offers to provide a same-day interpretation of digital images for a relatively small cost. Am I at risk if do so?Q. If an NHS patient makes a verbal complaint can it be resolved informally?Q. I am a dental hygienist with training in acupuncture. Am I allowed to use these techniques in the dental setting and do I need any additional indemnity?Q. I have been offered a job in an NHS practice in Scotland and want to know how it might differ from working in EnglandQ. I have been told that the Health and Safety Executive requires every dental practice to appoint a first-aider. Is that correct and what happens if the first aider has time off? Is it illegal to continue working?Q. I will be inserting dental implants for private patients one day a week at a practice in Wales and have been told that I need to register with the Healthcare Inspectorate. Is this correct? Q. What do I do with my records when I sell the practice? Q. I am running out of space. Where and how do I keep my records?Q. Could a male hygienist be vulnerable to accusations of a sexual nature from females unless there is a dental nurse or a chaperone present?Q. I was unable to provide a current certificate of indemnity because I had let my subscription lapse and then forgot to renew the subscription. I have now been sent a letter from the GDC. What should I do?I was breathalysed by the police banned from driving for one year. My conviction has been reported to the General Dental Council who have told me my fitness to practise is in question. What is now likely to happen?Q. The dentist I work for is considering adding facial aesthetics to the list of services our practice offers to patients and wants me to train to use Botox and fillers. I am not sure that this is where I wanted to take my career. Where do I stand legally and ethically if I want to follow this up?Q. If a patient wants to come to our practice for hygiene treatment, but retain their own dentist to provide dental treatment, what is the best way to obtain a correct referral to me, the hygienist?Q. A new patient arrives at the practice late on a Friday afternoon with a loose crown. There isn't a dentist available but the hygienist has completed the course for temporary dressing placement/ crown recementing. Should the hygienist treat the patient?My dentist has asked me to undertake tray bleaching for patients and has offered to train me. I haven't attended any courses or studied any theory on the subject. Would the GDC consider me competent?Q. As a DCP, have experienced a couple of issues recently regarding infection control protocols in the practice. The senior partner says that he recognises the BDA infection control guidelines but that ‘guidelines' can be interpreted as he sees fit. Where do I stand here?Q. If a patient is under 16, who can consent to their treatment?Q. How long should I keep my patient records?Q. What do I do with my records when I sell the practice? Q. How does a clinician adhere to the Data Protection Act (1998) when ordering items for their patients from a dental laboratory? Q. Can I accept a father's consent on behalf of a 17-year-old patient with learning difficulties?Q. Are hygienists allowed to carry out power bleaching (with the use of light) and what proof of suitable training would be required to carry out this procedure?Q. Should my nurse sign when writing up my patients' notes?Q. I have just seen a new NHS patient who was extremely aggressive to both me and the dental nurse and I would prefer not to see him again. Can I refuse to treat him?Q. I have been asked to give smoking cessation advice to a patient who is having multiple implants placed in 6 weeks time. Q. We want to go paperless....Q. Can DCPs take alginate impressions?Q. I work as an associate in two different practices and am worried about the vicarious liability implications for the staffQ. Can I take pictures of patients with a camera phone and send them to colleagues/specialists for an opinion or advice?Q. What happens when the patient's cardiologist insists that in spite of NICE guidance, antibiotic cover must still be provided?Q. If I refund the patient's fees, am I admitting liability and risking a future claim?Q. If I receive a complaint from a patient by email do the new NHS regulations allow me to respond by email?Q. If I scan medical history forms, consent forms, lab docs in an attempt to reduce the volume of our paper records am I obliged retain the original paper documents or will the scanned copies suffice?Q. I have read that dental practice websites need to include a link to the General Dental Council website. Is this true?Q. With the new NHS contract in England, there is no longer an NHS disciplinary process. Is it the same in Northern Ireland?Q. What do I do about records when I move to a new practice and patients ask to be treated there?Q. What should I do about obtaining the records of a patient who was treated abroad or who lives abroad?Q. Is it reasonable to take an extra x-ray just for the record?Q. I use a digital camera in my practice and frequently use these images when lecturing. Do I need specific consent of each patient, every time I use the pictures?Q. I have closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in my practice both for security reason as well as staff training purposes. What legal obligations apply to this material?Q. I've received a letter from a solicitor proposing action against me; what should I do?Q. When an NHS patient requests me to use a tooth-coloured material in their posterior teeth, must I comply with this request instead of using amalgam?Q. I asked to see a certificate of indemnity from a new associate that I want to employ. The dentist in question showed me a broker’s certificate for a policy backed by Lloyds but which had an excess of £5,000 for each claim. Is this valid?Q. I have received a letter from the GDC advising me that my name has been removed from the GDC register for non-payment of my annual retention fee. I have been working without realising that my registration had lapsed and I have now requested a restoration form - is it ok to continue working in the meantime?Transitions 2010About Dental ProtectionCareersFinancial StrengthFinancial summaryGet to Know DPL...Insurance Vs IndemnityMeet the TeamMartin Foster - Associate Dento-Legal AdviserCaroline Chapman - Associate Dento-Legal AdviserNikolaus Palmer - Associate Dento-Legal AdviserDavid Hartoch - Associate Dento-Legal AdviserSimon Quelch - Associate Dento-Legal AdviserLesley Taylor - Associate Dento-Legal AdviserHugh Harvie - Head of Dental Services (Scotland)Kevin Lewis - Dental DirectorJohn Tiernan - Director of MPS Educational ServicesMichael Butterworth - Senior Cases ConsultantBrian Edlin - Head of Dental ServicesAlan Cohen - Head of Dental Services (London)Nancy Boodhoo - International Dento-Legal AdviserMike Clarke - Senior Dento-Legal AdviserBrian Westbury - Senior Dento-legal AdviserSusan Willatt - Senior Dento-legal AdviserSue Boynton - Dento-legal AdviserAndrew Collier - Dento-legal AdviserDavid Croser - Dento-legal AdviserLen D'Cruz - Dento-legal AdviserJulia Densem - Dento-legal AdviserJames Foster - Dento-legal AdviserStephen Henderson - Dento-Legal AdviserJoseph Ingham - Dento-Legal AdviserBryan Johnson - Dento-Legal AdviserBobby Broadfoot DSM - Associate Dento-Legal AdviserHelen Caney - Dento-Legal AdviserAlasdair McKelvie - Dento-Legal AdviserJane Merivale - Dento-Legal AdviserRaj Rattan - Dento-Legal AdviserRavi Rattan - Dento-Legal AdviserLynn Rees - Dento-Legal AdviserAlan Seaton - Dento-Legal AdviserYvonne Shaw - Dento-Legal AdviserStephanie Twidale - Dento-Legal AdviserLynn Walters - Senior Claims ConsultantIain Corran - Associate Dento-Legal AdviserJill Jagger - Dento-Legal AdviserAdviserJocelyn Logan - Associate Dento-Legal AdviserAdrian Millen - Associate Dento-Legal AdviserDavid Murphy - Associate Dento-Legal AdviserSudhir Radia - Associate Dento-Legal AdviserJosef Rich - Associate Dento-Legal AdviserClaire Walsh - Associate Dento-Legal AdviserPhil Shaw - Dento-Legal AdviserMartin Woodhead - Associate Dento-Legal AdviserMartin Beaumont - Claims AdviserMichael Byles - Claims AdviserDavid Hards - Claims AdviserJason Priston - Claims AdviserMFGDP (UK), BDS - Associate Dento-Legal AdviserGeorge Bureau - Associate Dento-Legal AdviserMartin Valt - Associate Dento-Legal AdviserMutual - Not for ProfitMaking sense of indemnityMemorandum and Articles of AssociationOur ServiceOur Visions & ValuesPosition StatementsContact UsCareersDento-legal EnquiryJoin Dental ProtectionSign-in to Member ServicesWhat to do if an incident occursNewDCP StudentsAbout Dental ProtectionAbout to qualify?Benefits of membershipDiscounted texbooksJoin Dental ProtectionSign-in to Member ServicesEducational resourcesPremier Awards 2010Meet your representativesJason WoodMieke EvansChristina McNivenPublicationsPublication RequestRisk Management LibraryWin a Nintendo WiiUseful linksDental Care ProfessionalsPremier Awards 2010Clinical Dental TechniciansAbout Dental ProtectionBenefits of MembershipFrequently Asked QuestionsMembershipResourcesSign-in to Member ServicesPublicationsUseful LinksDental TechniciansAbout Dental ProtectionBenefits of MembershipFrequently Asked QuestionsResourcesSign-in to Member ServicesPublicationsUseful LinksMembershipDental TherapistsAbout Dental ProtectionBenefits of MembershipFrequently Asked QuestionsMembershipResourcesSign-in to Member ServicesPublicationsUseful LinksDental NursesAbout Dental ProtectionBenefits of MembershipFrequently Asked QuestionsMembershipOur Services: The Dental TeamResourcesSign-in to Member ServicesPublicationsUseful LinksHygienistsAbout Dental ProtectionBenefits of MembershipFrequently Asked QuestionsMembershipResourcesSign-in to Member ServicesPublicationsUseful LinksOrthodontic TherapistsAbout Dental ProtectionBenefits of MembershipMembershipFrequently Asked QuestionsResourcesSign-in to Member ServicesPublicationsUseful LinksRisk Management LibraryDental CorporatesAbout Dental ProtectionBenefits of membershipJoining Dental ProtectionSign-in to Member ServicesPosition Statement for CorporatesPublicationsPublication RequestResourcesRisk Management LibrarySign-in to Member ServicesUseful LinksDental StudentsAbout Dental ProtectionAbout to graduate?About to graduate in Scotland?Your Future Starts HereBenefits of membershipDiscounted texbooksElectivesLetter of Indemnity Request Form (Excluding USA/Canada)Letter of Indemnity Request Form (USA/Canada only)Elective Pack Request FormJoin Dental ProtectionSign-in to Member ServicesMeet your representativesChristina McNivenJason WoodMieke EvansPremier Awards 2010PublicationsPublication RequestRisk Management LibraryUseful LinksElectivesDental SchoolsUseful LinksEducational resources and discounted book offersWin a Nintendo WiiDentistsAbout Dental ProtectionFrequently asked questionsAdverse Risk Member ProgrammeBenefits of membershipDiscounted texbooksUK dentists abroadOverseas Dentists in the UKAbout Dental ProtectionFrequently Asked QuestionsJoin Dental ProtectionPublicationsResourcesPremier Awards 2010Join Dental ProtectionResourcesPublicationsRisk Management LibrarySign-in to Member ServicesSpecialistsUseful LinksRisk ManagementCase Studies1 - Vicarious liability4 - No warning given5 - Difficult extraction6 - Inappropriate diagnosis and treatment8 - Reamers do break9 - Sleepless night11 - Misunderstanding12 - Slow orthodontic progress14 - A high level of expectation15 - Computer print out16 - Disappointing crowns17 - Prescribing patterns18 - Police called for emergencies19 - Overprescription20 - Deliberate damage21 - Warnings not recorded22 - A clean sweep23 - Conflicting messages24 - Unsatisfactory crowns25 - Full refund26 - Unlawful killing27 - Instructions given whilst patient was not fully conscious28 - Crossover of allergies29 - The hygienist in the dental team31 - No can do32 - Mind the gap36 - Multiple crowns37 - By not extracting are you under-prescribing?38 - History saves the day39 - The prompt reply40 - Publicity seeker41 - The jargon barrier44 - Wrong teeth extracted45 - Read between the lines46 - Divided opinions47 - Consenting dentures48 - Cardiac arrest49 - Product and patient focus50 - Discriminating hygienist51 - Refunded fees52 - Clean sweep53 - Conflicting stories54 - Disputing colleagues55 - Lower denture refund56 - New look for old57 - Hip op58 - In an instant59 - Complex implant failure60 - Fractured mandible61 - A makeover62 - Changing faces64 - Broken file65 - Not quite asleep66 - Both sides now67 - Positive spin68 - Childsplay70 - Expectations71 - Chronic72 - Writing on the wall73 - Retirement74 - A more aesthetic smile75 - Extracting advice77 - A misunderstanding78 - Out with a writ79 - Ambiguity80 - No way to treat a therapist81 - Implant confusion82 - Managing a root in the antrum83 - Overcharged84 - Putting it right85 - As advertised86 - Who needs to know?87 - Disagreement about fees88 - Local anaesthetic suspected89 - A case of mistaken identity90 - An unrecorded discussion91 - Report on a broken tooth 92- Biting remarks93 - Ensuring satisfaction94 - Several failures95 - A dislike of operative procedures96 - In spite of best efforts98 - Fatal outcome99 - Wedding costs100 - A premolar swelling101 - Extraction socket won’t heal102 - Emergency call103 - The therapist and the sound-alike name104 - Hardly here105 - Gritted teeth107 - Retirement beckons108 - A good question109 - Mobile patients110 - Clinicians on the move111 - Discriminated against113 - Doing nothing was an option114 - A debatable lack of interest115 - Failed fissure seal116 - Two dentists on the job117 - Refund agreed118 - Two-tier charges119 - Double trouble120 - Discarded technique121 - Expert disagreement122 - Silence was not golden123 - Bad debt?124 - Confused intention125 - A winning smile126 - A potent prescription127 - Hip joints128 - Counter-claim over debtCase Studies Advanced SearchClinical audit toolsDental Advice BookletsRisk Management LibraryInteractive & Distance LearningPassword Reminder RequestPublicationsPublication RequestRecord keepingPremier Awards 2010DPL XtraWhat does it cost?Lower subscriptionsDPL Xtra Practice ManagerInteractive TrainingRISK Partnerships & SeminarsFind out moreProfessionalsDental StudentsDCP StudentsDentistsDental Care ProfessionalsDental CorporatesSalaried DentistsOverseas Dentists in the UKVDPs & Young DentistsChange your personal detailsSalaried DentistsUniversity EmployedFrequently Asked QuestionsMembershipNHS/Crown IndemnityResourcesUseful LinksDental Defence ServiceFrequently Asked QuestionsMembershipNHS/Crown IndemnityPublicationsResourcesUseful LinksHospital ServicesFrequently asked questionsMembershipNHS/Crown IndemnityResourcesPublicationsUseful LinksCommunity Dental Service/SPDCSFrequently Asked QuestionsMembershipNHS/Crown IndemnityPublicationsResourcesUseful LinksRisk Management LibraryVDPs & Young DentistsConsidering working abroad?Meet your representativesJason WoodMieke EvansChristina McNivenPuzzled about your renewal?About Dental ProtectionBenefits of membershipPublicationsPublication RequestDeaneries and resourcesResourcesSign-in to Member ServicesUseful LinksRisk Management LibraryGet prepared for you MJDF and ORE examsYoung Dentist ConferencePremier Awards 2010Young dentist eventsPremier Awards 2010Transitions 2010Young Dentist ConferenceFree student membershipBe an early bird... 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Meet the Young Dentist TeamFrequently asked questionsJoin Dental ProtectionSign-in to Member ServicesPay your renewal subscriptionRequest a membership certificateMember Services OnlineEvents, News & Position StatementsPremier Awards 2010Position StatementsBleaching and Tooth Whitening by DCPsActivity Measures Under New NHS ContractAntibiotic ProphylaxisAutomatic External DefibrillatorsCosmetic & Adjunctive ProceduresDental CorporatesDental ImplantsEndodontic InstrumentsHM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Disclosure of RecordsMentoringSnoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea SyndromeTeledentistryTooth WhiteningUse of Local Anaesthetic and Fluoride Varnish by Dental Hygienists and TherapistsWorking Outside the VT ContractSwine Flu and Pandemic InfluenzaResponse DocumentsEmail updatesPress ReleasesGDC Scope of Practice June 2008Rush to the new DPL WebsiteDental Protection announces new team for opening of Edinburgh office‘Ethics’ added to the topics list for this year’s Premier AwardsDental Protection Xtra unveiled in Glasgow Premier Award Winners 2009Transitions - Dental Protection launches a new event for Scottish dentistsDental Protection expand its ‘Horizons'Dental Protection to open Edinburgh officeYoung Dentist Conference 2009Kevin Lewis awarded a second FellowshipBiggest crowd ever attend Premier Symposium 08Young Dentist ConferenceDental Protection renews support for Vocational TrainingRush to the new DPL WebsiteDetails Announced for the Annual Premier Symposium!Premier Awards 2008 Open to All Dental ProfessionalsDental Protection Freezes the Cost of IndemnityYoung Dentists Challenge Benefits of Aesthetic DentistryDental Protection announces 13 new appointmentsDental Protection announces 50000 members‘The Apprentice’ winner to speak at the 2008 Young Dentist ConferenceMPS announces membership figuresKevin Lewis Awarded FellowshipTrainingmatters 2007HIV experts’ advice may change say Dental ProtectionDental Protection warn of Danger for NHS PerformersLocal Resolution is Key to Resolving Complaints SystemDPL confirms its position on DCP indemnityDentistry Magazine Top 50 PollDental Protection announce ethics theme for the BDA Conference 2007Young Dentists explore the issue of 'Worth' with their PeersDental Protection cuts indemnity costs for non surgical cosmetic treatmentDental Protection expand its 'Horizons'The Premier Symposium 2009Young dentists enjoy a 'sell-out' conferenceEvents18 March 2010 - "Made to Measure" - London LDC Event19 - 20 March 2010 - The Dentistry Show26 March & 23 April 2010 - BDPMA Management Development Workshops17 April 2010 - Transitions 201020 - 22 May 2010 - BDA Annual Conference and Exhibition25, 26 & 27 May 2010 - Horizons 201018 June 2010 - Annual Conference of LDCs25 June 2010 - Introduction to Being an Associate26 June 2010 - BDPMA Annual Conference1 - 3 July 2010 - International Symposium on Dental HygieneRegional InformationWalesEnglandScotlandIsle of ManNorthern IrelandHIV positive dentists permitted to practice in EuropeNon surgical cosmetic treatment