Scope of Practice and Professionalism
What this domain tests
This domain tests practising within the Dental Council's scope-of-practice framework, maintaining competence through CPD, transparent fees and clear patient information, and using protected titles correctly.
Core rules and concepts
- Work only within your training, competence and registration. Refer when a patient's needs exceed your scope.
- Dentists must complete 60 CPD hours over a three-year cycle, including at least 20 verifiable hours, and keep records. CPD should address identified learning needs, not only favoured topics.
- Fees must be clear, discussed before treatment and itemised when requested. Explain likely costs, alternatives and what happens if the plan changes.
- Patient information must be accurate, accessible and not misleading. Respect data protection and give patients access to their records on request.
- Protected titles such as “specialist” may be used only by those registered in that specialty.
Worked example
A dentist who has taken implant training but is not on the specialist register is asked to advertise as a “specialist implant clinic”. The correct approach is to advertise truthfully as a general dentist with a stated interest and training in implants, and to refer complex cases. Using “specialist” would misrepresent registration status. The fee estimate and referral pathway should also be explained and recorded.
Traps that cost marks
Treating outside scope to retain a patient; claiming a specialty without registration; quoting a fee only after treatment; using misleading before-and-after claims; failing to record CPD; ignoring a request for records; assuming CPD hours need no evidence.