Diploma of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (MFDS) Professionalism, Ethics, Law and Practice Governance Flashcards

24 sample cards from the Professionalism, Ethics, Law and Practice Governance deck

Sampled from the end of the deck, so these are different cards from the ones shown on the syllabus page.

1. Name and describe two adult learning principles relevant to teaching in dentistry (andragogy).

   Andragogy (Knowles): adults are self-directed, draw on prior experience, are problem-/relevance-centred, and are internally motivated. A related concept is Kolb's experiential learning cycle (concrete experience → reflective observation → abstract conceptualisation → active experimentation), emphasising learning through doing and reflection.

2. What is Miller's pyramid of clinical competence?

   Miller's pyramid describes levels of clinical competence assessment, from base to apex: 'Knows' (knowledge) → 'Knows how' (applied knowledge/competence) → 'Shows how' (performance in a test setting, e.g. OSCE) → 'Does' (actual performance in real practice, e.g. workplace-based assessment).

3. Describe a recognised model for giving constructive feedback to a learner.

   Examples: Pendleton's rules (learner says what went well, teacher adds what went well, learner says what could improve, teacher adds improvements, then agree an action plan); the 'feedback sandwich' (positive–constructive–positive); or SET-GO/the One-Minute Preceptor. The key features are: timely, specific, balanced, behaviour-focused (not personal), and action-oriented.

4. List four characteristics of effective feedback.

   Effective feedback is: timely (given close to the event); specific and descriptive (focused on observable behaviour, not personality); balanced (strengths and areas to improve); non-judgemental and constructive; based on first-hand observation; and concludes with an agreed, achievable action plan.

5. Name two contrasting leadership styles and a recognised dental leadership framework.

   Contrasting styles include transactional (reward/exchange-based, task-focused) versus transformational (inspiring, vision-driven, develops followers); and autocratic versus democratic/laissez-faire (Lewin). The NHS Healthcare Leadership Model and the concept of 'shared/distributed leadership' are widely used frameworks; clinical leadership emphasises leading by example and putting patients first.

6. What are the characteristics of an effective dental team, and name one model of team development.

   Effective teams have clear shared goals, defined roles, good communication, mutual trust and respect, and effective leadership. Tuckman's model of team development describes the stages: forming, storming, norming, performing (and adjourning/mourning).

7. Why is non-technical (human factors) skill important in dental teamworking and patient safety?

   Human factors / non-technical skills (communication, leadership, situational awareness, decision-making, teamwork) influence performance and error. Many adverse incidents result from communication and teamworking failures rather than lack of clinical knowledge, so good team behaviours (e.g. checklists, closed-loop communication, flat hierarchy for speaking up) reduce error and improve safety.

8. What is a professional portfolio and what is its purpose in dental career development?

   A portfolio is a structured collection of evidence documenting a professional's learning, achievements, reflection, CPD, assessments and competencies over time. Its purpose is to support reflective practice, demonstrate competence and progression, inform appraisal/revalidation, and guide ongoing professional and career development.

9. Describe the structure and purpose of a reflective learning cycle used in portfolios (e.g. Gibbs).

   Gibbs' reflective cycle: Description (what happened) → Feelings (what you thought/felt) → Evaluation (what was good/bad) → Analysis (what sense you can make of it) → Conclusion (what else could you have done) → Action plan (what you would do next time). Its purpose is to turn experience into structured learning and improved future practice.

10. Define 'SMART' objectives as used in personal development planning.

    SMART objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable (Attainable), Relevant (Realistic), and Time-bound. They are used in personal development plans (PDPs) to set clear, trackable goals for learning and career development.

11. What is 'professional resilience' and why is it important for dental practitioners?

    Resilience is the capacity to adapt positively to, recover from, and maintain wellbeing despite stress, adversity or setbacks. It is important because dentistry is high-stress (clinical pressure, complaints, litigation, isolation), and resilience protects against burnout, supports sustained performance, and helps maintain patient safety and professional standards.

12. Define 'burnout' and name its three classic dimensions (Maslach).

    Burnout is a syndrome of chronic, unmanaged workplace stress. Maslach's three dimensions are: emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation/cynicism (detachment from patients/work), and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment/efficacy.

13. List four practical self-care strategies to support wellbeing and prevent burnout in dental practice.

    Examples include: maintaining work–life balance and taking breaks; peer support, mentoring and supervision; reflective practice and recognising early stress signs; physical health (sleep, exercise, ergonomics to prevent musculoskeletal strain); mindfulness/stress-management techniques; and seeking professional help/occupational health when needed.

14. What is the difference between 'consent', 'assent' and 'best interests' in treating a young child who is not Gillick competent?

    For a child who is not Gillick competent, valid legal consent is given by a person with parental responsibility (or the court). The child's 'assent' (agreement/cooperation) should still be sought to involve them, but is not legally sufficient alone. All treatment must be in the child's best interests.

15. What is meant by 'parental responsibility', and who automatically holds it?

    Parental responsibility (Children Act 1989) is the legal rights, duties and authority a parent has regarding a child, including the right to consent to treatment. The mother automatically has it; the father has it if married to the mother or (for births registered after Dec 2003 in England/Wales) named on the birth certificate; others may acquire it via agreement or court order.

16. What is 'safeguarding', and what should a dental professional do if they suspect child abuse or neglect?

    Safeguarding is protecting vulnerable people (children and adults at risk) from abuse, neglect and harm. If abuse is suspected, the dentist should recognise and record concerns objectively, follow local safeguarding procedures, seek advice from the practice safeguarding lead/named professional, and refer to social services/relevant authorities as appropriate. Safeguarding is a professional and statutory duty.

17. What is the GDC's role and its primary statutory purpose?

    The General Dental Council (GDC) is the UK statutory regulator for the dental team (established under the Dentists Act 1984). Its primary purpose is to protect patients and the public by maintaining the dental register, setting standards of conduct and education, assuring the quality of dental education, and managing fitness-to-practise concerns.

18. What are the possible outcomes of a GDC fitness-to-practise hearing?

    Outcomes range from no action/no impairment found, to a reprimand/warning, conditions on registration, suspension of registration (for a set period), or erasure (removal) from the register. Interim orders (suspension or conditions) can also be imposed during an investigation to protect the public.

19. What is 'informed refusal' and how should it be documented?

    Informed refusal is when a patient with capacity declines recommended treatment after being informed of the risks and consequences of not proceeding. It must be respected for a competent adult, and the discussion (the recommendation, the risks of refusing, and that the patient understood) must be clearly documented in the records.

20. Explain the difference between 'express' and 'implied' consent, with a dental example.

    Express consent is explicitly given, verbally or in writing (e.g. signing a consent form for an extraction or surgical procedure). Implied consent is inferred from a patient's actions or cooperation (e.g. opening their mouth for an examination). Significant or invasive procedures require express, preferably written, consent.

21. What is 'clinical governance' and what are some of its components/pillars?

    Clinical governance is the framework through which healthcare organisations are accountable for continuously improving the quality of their services and safeguarding high standards of care. Its components (pillars) include: clinical audit, clinical effectiveness/evidence-based practice, risk management, education and training/CPD, patient and public involvement, using information, and staffing/staff management.

22. In statistics for evidence appraisal, what does a 'p-value' represent and what is the conventional significance threshold?

    The p-value is the probability of obtaining the observed result (or one more extreme) if the null hypothesis were true. The conventional threshold for statistical significance is $p < 0.05$, meaning less than a 5% probability the result occurred by chance under the null hypothesis.

23. Define 'sensitivity' and 'specificity' of a diagnostic test and give their formulas.

    Sensitivity is the proportion of true positives correctly identified by the test: $\text{Sensitivity} = \frac{TP}{TP + FN}$. Specificity is the proportion of true negatives correctly identified: $\text{Specificity} = \frac{TN}{TN + FP}$, where TP = true positive, FN = false negative, TN = true negative, FP = false positive.

24. What is a 'confidence interval' (e.g. a 95% CI) and how is it interpreted?

    A 95% confidence interval is a range of values within which we can be 95% confident the true population parameter lies. A narrower CI indicates greater precision. If a 95% CI for a difference includes 0 (or for a ratio includes 1), the result is generally not statistically significant at the 5% level.

What this deck covers

Professionalism, Ethics, Law and Practice Governance flashcards FAQ