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Duty to Raise Concerns — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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ModerateBehavioural Sciences & EthicsDuty to Raise ConcernsORE Part 1

A dental professional becomes aware that a colleague is regularly practising while impaired by alcohol. The professional knows this poses a risk to patients but takes no action to raise a concern. What is the potential regulatory consequence for the dental professional under GDC regulation?

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Correct answer: C — The dental professional may face fitness to practise proceedings for failure to raise a concern

The GDC Standards for the Dental Team establish a clear professional duty: dental professionals must raise concerns if they know colleagues pose a risk to patients or colleagues, including due to health or behaviour. Failure to report such matters without delay can lead to an allegation of impaired fitness to practise against the professional who fails to raise the concern. This means the dental professional themselves may face fitness to practise proceedings—not merely the impaired colleague. Option B is wrong because the duty applies regardless of direct involvement. Option A is wrong because both professionals can face consequences. Option E is incorrect because fitness to practise proceedings are formal regulatory processes, not simple warnings. Option D is wrong because the duty is individual and non-delegable to managers.

Reference: General Dental Council (GDC) Standards for the Dental Team & Guidance on Reporting Matters to the GDC: https://www.gdc-uk.org/standards-guidance/supporting-the-dental-team/dealing-with-feedback-and-concerns and https://www.gdc-uk.org/docs/default-source/consultations-and-responses/guidance-on-reporting-matters-to-the-gdc---accessible.pdf