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Duty of Candour — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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EasyBehavioural Sciences & EthicsDuty of CandourORE Part 1

A newly qualified dentist administers local anaesthetic to the wrong side of a patient's mouth. The error is recognised before any operative treatment begins. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: E — Explain the error, apologise, record the discussion, and agree an appropriate remedy

Explanation lettering: E = shown as A · D = shown as B · B = shown as D · A = shown as E

A is correct. The GDC professional duty of candour applies when an error has caused, or could cause, harm or distress. The dentist should tell the patient promptly and clearly what happened, apologise, offer an appropriate remedy where possible, and document the discussion and apology in the records. In this scenario, remedy may include reconsidering whether it remains appropriate to give local anaesthetic on the intended side and proceed, with the patient's informed agreement. B, D and E improperly delay or avoid candid disclosure. C may occasionally be appropriate if clinical circumstances or the patient’s wishes require it, but cancellation alone neither fulfils candour nor is automatically necessary.

Reference: General Dental Council, Being open and honest with patients when something goes wrong (The professional duty of candour), effective 1 July 2016. https://www.gdc-uk.org/docs/default-source/the-professional-duty-of-candour/duty-of-candour.pdf?sfvrsn=cba6dd3e