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Leo Briggs explains how understanding both the ethical and legal duty of candour helps dental professionals respond appropriately and maintain patient trust. Most patients accept that mistakes can happen but they won’t forgive any attempt to cover them up. The duty of candour is key to retaining their trust. The ethical duty of candour The…
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How can you ensure that your practice stands out against the rest while remaining on the right side of the regulators? Leo Briggs explains the principles of ethical marketing. Effective marketing is essential to ensure your practice and its services are visible to as many potential patients as possible, but you don’t want to waste…
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Leo Briggs, deputy head of the DDU, explains how the DDU supports members throughout their career. Dentistry is an extremely fulfilling and rewarding profession. But it can present many challenges. The pandemic has undoubtedly exacerbated this, which is why the support the DDU provides to its members is so important. Below are some of the…
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When practices were given the go-ahead to resume routine appointments, it was never going to be a return to normal. Concerns about the safe return to practice was the most common theme in the DDU’s advice files during this transition period. But unfortunately, some practices encountered resistance from a small number of patients too. Leo…
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Leo Briggs discusses some of the common themes surrounding communication in practice and details the DDU’s risk management advice. The emphasis on social distancing and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic was always likely to make communication more difficult. It is no surprise that this was one of the issues that prompted requests…
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Leo Briggs, deputy head of the DDU, explains what to do if you encounter a challenging patient. At the beginning of your career, it is somewhat daunting to deal with patients. The vast majority of patients get on well with their dentists. Unfortunately, in a very small minority of cases, some appointments can escalate. Some…
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Dental professionals have contacted the DDU with a variety of dentolegal concerns about the COVID-19 health crisis. Leo Briggs answers some of the most common queries below. What if a patient complains due to appointment cancellations? Most people recognise that routine dentistry is on hold at the moment. But good communication by your practice will…
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With an upsurge in dental problems being taken to GPs as Christmas approaches, Leo Briggs explores how to handle patients referred by their doctor Over the Christmas period, an increasing number of patients visit their family GP with toothache, abscesses and other dental problems. According to figures published by the British Medical Association (BMA), this…
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Tougher data protection laws will strengthen the rights of patients as data subjects. Leo Briggs answers some common questions on how the GDPR is likely to affect your practice. The run-up to the change in data protection procedures created a certain amount of concern and confusion among dental professionals. However, the good news is that…
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In every orthodontic practice there are a small number of patients or their relatives whose behaviour can test your reserves of goodwill. But while it might be tempting to tell these individuals that you will no longer provide treatment, doing so can make matters worse. Leo Briggs offers some advice on how to manage challenging…
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Leo Briggs explores the importance of successfully handling a complaint. Recently released figures from NHS Digital have shown that complaints made about NHS dentistry in England have almost doubled from 7,664 in 2015-16 to 13,493 in 2016/17. Perhaps not surprising then that complaints are the commonest reason for dental professionals to call for advice and…
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Leo Briggs looks at how you can meet expectations throughout your career, with help from your dental defence organisation. Dental student Dental school gives you time to get to grips with the fact that you have professional responsibilities to your colleagues, patients, and the public. Even as a trainee, your conduct will be under scrutiny…
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Leo Briggs, deputy head of the DDU, looks at the pros and cons of having a dental student in the practice. With university tuition fees in England now at £9,250 per year, it is more important than ever for young people to choose a career that they will love. Consequently, a student work placement can…
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Leo Briggs, deputy head of the DDU, explores the increase in recorded consultations and how these can benefit both patient and dentist. Unsurprisingly, in this digital age, the DDU has been contacted by members who are considering making a digital recording of dental consultations and by members who have sought advice about what to do…
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Leo Briggs, deputy head of the DDU, says dental professionals have a critical role in ensuring periodontal problems are picked up. The typical symptoms of periodontal disease can be easy to miss until it’s too late to treat them effectively. This means that dental professionals have a critical role in monitoring patients’ periodontal health. Unfortunately,…
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