Principle Seven
Maintain, develop and work within your professional knowledge and skills
Patients expect:
- To receive good quality care
- That all members of the dental team:
- are appropriately trained and qualified;
- keep their skills up to date;
- know their limits and refer patients as appropriate; and
- work within current laws and regulations
Standards & their guidance
Guidance
- 7.1.1 You must find out about current evidence and best practice which affect your work, premises, equipment and business and follow them.
- 7.1.2 If you deviate from established practice and guidance, you should record the reasons why and be able to justify your decision.
Guidance
- 7.2.1 You must only carry out a task or a type of treatment if you are appropriately trained, competent, confident and indemnified. Training can take many different forms. You must be sure that you have undertaken training which is appropriate for you and equips you with the appropriate knowledge and skills to perform a task safely.
- 7.2.2 You should only deliver treatment and care if you are confident that you have had the necessary training and are competent to do so. If you are not confident to provide treatment, you must refer the patient to an appropriately trained colleague.
- 7.2.3 You must only work within your mental and physical capabilities.
Guidance
- 7.3.1 You must make sure that you know how much continuing professional development (CPD) activity is required for you to maintain your registration and that you carry it out within the required time.
- 7.3.2 You should take part in activities that maintain update or develop your knowledge and skills. Your continuing professional development (CPD) activity should improve your practice. For more information, see the GDC’s advice on CPD.
Learning Material & case studies
Case Studies for principle 7
Frequently Asked Questions