New advice on raising concerns

The General Dental Council (GDC) advice, which has just been published, reminds dental professionals of their responsibility to raise concerns, explains when and how to raise a concern and provides sources of help and advice. Managers and employers are also reminded of the duty to support a workplace culture where staff can speak about issues openly and without fear of reprisal.

A survey of 328 dental professionals by the DDU in 2013 found that less than a quarter (75) had experience of raising concerns and just eight percent (26) had encountered barriers to raising concerns such as pressure from colleagues or management, or anxiety that their career might be adversely affected.

Rupert Hoppenbrouwers, head of DDU, said:

“The Dental Defence Union (DDU), receives many calls from dental professionals each year about whether to raise a concern and how best to do it. The decision to speak out is rarely taken lightly so the new advice will provide additional help to dental professionals in this difficult position. Under Principle 8 of the GDC’s Standards for the Dental Team, dental professionals have a duty to ‘raise concerns if patients are at risk’ so it’s important not to turn a blind eye to issues such as poor performance by colleagues or lack of resources which may potentially harm patients.