Reading List

A selected Reading List to support and extend learning from Consent for Dental Nurses.

GDC Standards and Dental Nurse Practice

• GDC Principle 3, obtain valid consent
  The central GDC page on consent in dental care, including the requirement to give patients sufficient information, time, and opportunity to ask questions.
  https://standards.gdc-uk.org/pages/principle3/principle3

• GDC Principle 2, communicate effectively with patients
  Guidance linking consent with clear communication, listening, checking understanding, and meeting patient needs.
  https://standards.gdc-uk.org/pages/principle2/principle2

• GDC Principle 8, raise concerns if patients are at risk
  Relevant where a dental nurse is concerned a patient has not understood, is being pressured, or is being treated despite withdrawing consent.
  https://standards.gdc-uk.org/pages/principle8/principle8

• GDC Standards for the Dental Team
  The full standards framework for dental professionals, covering communication, consent, confidentiality, records, and professionalism.
  https://www.gdc-uk.org/standards-guidance/standards-and-guidance/standards-for-the-dental-team

• GDC Scope of Practice
  Details role boundaries for dental nurses and other dental care professionals.
  https://www.gdc-uk.org/standards-guidance/standards-and-guidance/scope-of-practice

• GDC Safe Practitioner framework: Dental Nurse
  Describes expected behaviours, professional judgement, communication, and patient safety in dental nursing.
  https://www.gdc-uk.org/docs/default-source/about-us/safe-practitioner/safe-practitioner--dental-nurse.pdf?sfvrsn=bae145a5_4

Consent, Capacity, and Decision-Making

• NHS consent to treatment
  A patient-facing overview of valid consent, capacity, voluntary decisions, and withdrawal.
  https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/consent-to-treatment/

• NHS consent for children and young people
  Overview of consent involving children, young people, parents, and Gillick competence.
  https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/consent-to-treatment/children/

• Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice
  The England and Wales code for supporting decision-making, assessing capacity, and acting where capacity is lacking.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-capacity-act-code-of-practice

• Scotland Adults with Incapacity medical treatment code
  Scottish guidance on medical treatment decisions under the Adults with Incapacity framework.
  https://www.gov.scot/publications/adults-incapacity-scotland-act-2000-code-practice-third-edition-practitioners-authorised-carry-out-medical-treatment-research-under-part-5-act/

• Northern Ireland Mental Capacity Act code and key documents
  Official Northern Ireland signpost for local capacity law and implementation documents.
  https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/articles/mental-capacity-act-code-practice-and-other-key-documents

• NICE shared decision making NG197
  Guidance on making decisions through clear discussion of options, values, preferences, and support.
  https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng197

Governance and Inspection Context

• CQC Regulation 11, need for consent
  England-specific regulatory guidance on the requirement for consent in regulated health and care services.
  https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-regulation/providers/regulations-service-providers-and-managers/health-social-care-act/regulation-11

• CQC Dental mythbuster 23, consent to dental treatment
  England-specific guidance with practical notes on consent expectations in dental practice.
  https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/dentists/dental-mythbuster-23-consent-dental-treatment

Use these readings to reinforce consent principles, clarify the dental nurse's responsibilities, and support practice systems that help patients make informed, voluntary decisions.