Paediatric consent
What to do if someone who can’t give consent brings a child
what to do if consent has already been given and the child is brought by someone else
Who can consent for a child
When to proceed without relevant consent - when delaying treatment would pose a significant risk
Extraction consent form - description of treatment, intended benefits and complications.
Infection control
Which instruments/equipment goes in which bin
Doffing PPE
Donning PPE
Cleaning a bay
What can and can’t be touched with gloves
Operative knowledge
Dental materials pros and cons (amalgam, composite, GIC, RMGIC, SDFm CaOH, ZOE
Pregnant patient management (not lying patient flat due to IVC compression, Tx approach varying depending on trimester
FV doses
BEWE codes
Anaesthetic options (pros and cons of LA, GA, IHS, IVS, La technique and dose)
Caries related conditions
Temporary restorations
Definitive restorations
Fissure sealant
Prevention (DBOH toolkit) - fluoride, sugar, amount of toothpaste
Extractions of primary dentition
Direct pulp cap (only if iatrogenic damage has occured)
Indirect pulp cap
Pulpotomy (on primary tooth)
Perio related conditions
Recognising periodontal and peri-implant conditions and how to manage them (peri-implant mucositis vs peri-implantitis) ANUG, desquamative gingivitis, periodontal abscess.
Recognising sites requiring SUB PMPR (scores with 4+bleeding or 5 and above
BSP guidelines
Stage 1 - build foundations for optimal treatment outcomes
Stage 2 - Sub PMPR
Stage 3 - Managing non-responsive sites
Stage 4 - Maintenance and recall
Paeds
Recognising the extent of decay and/or trauma (e.g. by interpreting radiographs)
SDCEP guidance - how to manage carious lesions of varying degrees
Managing an avulsed tooth
How extraoral dry time impacts prognosis (>60min <60mins)
Guidance on re-implanting at the scene of the incident (toothSOS app)
Recognising safeguarding issues and how to manage them
Dental anomalies
Paeds XLA: procedure, POI, during and post operative complications and how to manage them. (e.g. tissue tear, fracture etc)
Oral medicine
Describing lesions (site, shape, colour, distribution, texture, consistency, outline)
Making a differential diagnosis
Oral med mind maps
Asking for a recommendation e.g biopsy
How to write a ref letter →
Ref GDP info
Pt info
NHS/relevant hospital number
Presenting complaint (HPC and urgency)
Clinical findings
RMH
Provisional diagnosis
What you want the practitioner to do (second opinion or management)
Medications
Meds with oral manifestations
Calcium channel blockers (gingival hyperplasia)
SSRIs and TCAs (xerostomia)
Tetracyclines (staining)
Corticosteroids (candidiasis)
Medications
Asthma - FV contraindicated due to colophony content
Statins - avoid us with azole antifungals
Bisphosphonates and RANKL inhibitors - MRONJ risk
DOACs, NOACs, antiplatelet
Commonly prescribed medication which are contraindicated with other emds
ME
Recognising different ME
ABCDE approach
Management - DRS ABC
ME drugs - Dose, route of administration, Dose frequency
SOP
You must be able to recognise something outside of your scope of practice.
Under prescription of the dentist → Tooth whitening, inhalation sedation and non-surgical cosmetic injectables. Assume you don’t unless told otherwise.
Patient communication
History taking (SOCRATES) - differential diagnosis and explain to pt.
Explaining Tx options - pros and cons
Methods of anxiety management - behavioural and pharmacological methods
Mistakes - communicate with pts when a mistake has been made.
Other areas
Complaints → outline stages and features of the complaints procedure
Radiology → Be able to recognise radiographic errors and how you would correct them. Doses for radiology
GDC principles
DBOH
Sharps → Know the correct protocol for a sharps injury
Whistleblowing → Know who to report wrongdoing to and how this would be handled/escalated
Protected characteristics → Equality Act 2010
Example scenario 1
You are a dental therapist working in practice. John aged 7 arrives with his grandmother for the extraction of his URD under LA. John would normally be brought in by his mother but she is working today. There was a rush at the end of the last appointment, so the extraction consent form has not been filled out. John’s grandmother does not have parental responsibility or any other documentation that would indicated she has a formal duty of care. John is not in pain, would you still carry out the extraction?
Questions
Can johns grandmother consent to the extraction today?
Who can consent to a child’s treatment
In what situation(s) would it be acceptable to proceed with treatment on a child without the relevant consent
Example scenario 2
You are working as a dental therapist in a dental practice. A patient attends for a composite restoration on one of their lower molars. On examination you notice the lesion as shown and the pt explains it has been present for a week, is painful and isn’t the first time they’ve noticed lesions of this description.
Questions
Write a ref letter
Example scenario 3
A patient attended this morning for an appointment with you for the restoration of several abrasion cavities. You are on your lunch break and get notified by reception that one of them has fallen out. The patient is very annoyed and wants to speak to you about the situation.
Questions
Have a conversation with this patient about the issue.
Here are some relevant scenario-based questions based on the provided notes:
Scenario 1: John aged 7 arrives with his grandmother for the extraction of his URD under LA. John’s permission has not been documented, and his grandmother lacks formal duty of care.
Can John’s grandmother consent to the extraction today?
Who can consent to a child’s treatment?
In what situation(s) would it be acceptable to proceed with treatment on a child without the relevant consent?
Scenario 2: A patient presents for a composite restoration on a lower molar, reporting a painful lesion that has been present for a week.
What steps would you take regarding the patient’s lesion upon examination?
Write a referral letter for a specialist. What key information should you include?
Scenario 3: After a lunch break, you are notified that a restoration has fallen out from a patient you treated earlier, leading to their frustration.
How would you communicate with this patient about the issue?
What are the steps you should take to address the patient’s concerns and ensure satisfaction?
Scenario 4: A 5-year-old child is brought in for a routine check-up by their father. The child is very anxious and reluctant to cooperate during the examination.
How would you approach the examination of this anxious child?
What methods of anxiety management can you employ to help the child feel more comfortable?
Scenario 5: During a dental procedure, you notice signs of gingival hyperplasia in a patient currently taking calcium channel blockers.
How should you communicate your findings to the patient?
What additional considerations should be taken into account regarding their medication?
Scenario 6: A parent brings in their child with a complaint of toothache. Upon examination, you find a deep cavity and suspect a possible pulpal involvement.
What are the steps you would take in managing this case, including possible interventions?
What information should you provide to the parent regarding treatment options and potential outcomes?
Scenario 7: A patient presents with a history of frequent dental visits for decay management but has been non-compliant with fluoride use at home.
How can you effectively communicate the importance of preventive measures to this patient?
What strategies can you suggest to encourage better compliance with home care routines?
Scenario 8: You are managing a case of a pediatric patient with a suspected dental anomaly that requires referral to a specialist.
What details should be included in your referral letter to ensure a smooth transition of care?
How would you explain the referral process to the parent and the rationale behind it?