Communication and Consent — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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ModerateBehavioural Sciences & EthicsCommunication and ConsentORE Part 1

A dentist needs to obtain consent from an adult refugee patient who speaks very limited English before starting non-emergency dental treatment. No face-to-face interpreter is available. The patient’s 12-year-old child offers to interpret. According to GDC Standards, what is the most appropriate action?

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Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A — Use a remote professional interpreter for the consent discussion

**A is correct.** The dentist must obtain valid consent before treatment, adapting communication to the patient’s needs and giving information in a format the patient can understand. The GDC recognises that a relative or friend may sometimes help with communication, but this is not always appropriate; where it is unsuitable, an interpreter should be arranged. In a consent discussion, relying on the patient’s 12-year-old child risks inaccurate or filtered communication and places the child in an inappropriate role. A remote professional interpreter is therefore the appropriate practical option. **B** does not adequately safeguard clear, independent communication. **C** would mean proceeding without valid consent. **D** is wrong because the competent adult patient, not their child, gives consent. **E** is wrong because the dentist should seek an appropriate interpreting service rather than make no attempt to facilitate care.

Reference: General Dental Council, Standards for the Dental Team, Principle 3: Obtain valid consent, section 3.2 (current webpage, accessed July 2026), https://standards.gdc-uk.org/pages/principle3/principle3