Digital Background – DBS Standard and Enhanced Criminal Checks from £4-£7 Admin Fee – Free Sign Up
DBS Standard and Enhanced Criminal Background Checking Service
Digital Background – DBS Standard and Enhanced Criminal Checks from £4-£7 Admin Fee – Free Sign Up
Introduction:
Dental practices are responsible for providing safe and effective care to their patients. A crucial part of safeguarding is ensuring that staff members are suitable for their roles, particularly given the close physical contact involved in dental treatment. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are an essential tool for dental practices to assess the suitability of potential and existing employees. This blog post will explore DBS check requirements for various roles within a dental practice, outlining the appropriate DBS level and the rationale behind it.
Why are DBS Checks Important in Dental Practices?
Patient Safety: DBS checks help mitigate the risk of employing individuals who may pose a threat to patients, particularly vulnerable adults and children.
Regulatory Compliance: The General Dental Council (GDC) expects dental professionals to be of good character and fitness to practise. DBS checks contribute to demonstrating this.
Building Trust: Conducting DBS checks demonstrates a commitment to patient safety and builds trust within the community.
Understanding DBS Check Levels:
As a reminder, here are the three main levels of DBS checks:
Basic DBS Check: Reveals unspent convictions and conditional cautions.
Standard DBS Check: Reveals spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings.
Enhanced DBS Check: Includes all information from a Standard check, plus any relevant information held by local police forces. It may also include a check of the barred lists (for working with children and/or vulnerable adults).
DBS Check Requirements for Different Roles:
Here’s a breakdown of the recommended DBS check levels for common roles within a dental practice:
| Role | Potential Activities | Recommended DBS Level | Justification |
| Dentist | Examining, diagnosing, and treating patients; performing surgical procedures. | Enhanced DBS with barred list check (child & adult) | Regulated activity; direct and unsupervised contact with patients, including children and vulnerable adults. |
| Dental Hygienist | Providing preventative dental care; scaling and polishing teeth; offering oral hygiene advice. | Enhanced DBS with barred list check (child & adult) | Regulated activity; direct and unsupervised contact with patients, including children and vulnerable adults. |
| Dental Therapist | Performing certain dental treatments under the direction of a dentist. | Enhanced DBS with barred list check (child & adult) | Regulated activity; direct and unsupervised contact with patients, including children and vulnerable adults. |
| Dental Nurse | Assisting dentists during treatment; preparing instruments; sterilising equipment. | Enhanced DBS with barred list check (child & adult) | Regulated activity; assisting in direct contact with patients, including children and vulnerable adults. |
| Trainee Dental Nurse | Assisting dentists during treatment; preparing instruments; sterilising equipment. | Enhanced DBS with barred list check (child & adult) | Same reasoning as a qualified dental nurse, as they are involved in direct patient care, including children and vulnerable adults, even while training. |
| Receptionist | Answering phones, scheduling appointments, handling patient records, taking payments. | Standard DBS Check | Access to sensitive patient data; potential for incidental contact with vulnerable patients in the waiting area. |
| Practice Manager | Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the practice; managing staff; handling finances. | Standard or Enhanced DBS (Risk Assessment Required) | Access to sensitive patient data and financial responsibility. If the practice manager regularly interacts directly with vulnerable patients (e.g., handling concerns or complaints), an Enhanced DBS may be more appropriate. |
| Dental Technician | Constructing dental appliances (e.g., dentures, crowns) in a laboratory setting. | Basic DBS Check or no DBS check (Risk Assessment Required) | Typically limited or no direct contact with patients. However, if the technician occasionally visits the practice and has the potential for contact with patients, a Basic DBS check may be advisable. |
| Cleaner/Maintenance Staff | Cleaning and maintaining the practice premises. | Basic DBS Check or no DBS check (Risk Assessment Required) | Limited direct contact with patients, usually in a non-clinical setting. If cleaning is done outside of opening hours when no patients are present, a DBS check may not be necessary. |
Important Considerations:
Regulated Activity: The key factor determining the need for an Enhanced DBS check with barred list check is whether the role involves “regulated activity” with children and/or vulnerable adults. Regulated activity involves specific types of work, such as providing healthcare or personal care.
GDC Registration: All registered dental professionals (Dentists, Dental Hygienists, Dental Therapists, and Dental Nurses) are expected to maintain their registration with the GDC, which includes adhering to their standards of conduct and ethics. Part of this is ensuring they are of good character, which DBS checks contribute to.
Risk Assessment: Always conduct a thorough risk assessment for each role to determine the appropriate level of DBS check.
DBS Update Service: Encourage staff to join the DBS Update Service to keep their certificates up-to-date.
Safeguarding Policy: Your dental practice should have a comprehensive safeguarding policy that outlines procedures for recruitment, training, reporting concerns, and managing allegations.
Review and Renewal: DBS checks do not have an expiry date. However, it’s good practice to review DBS checks periodically, especially if there are changes to the role or responsibilities. The GDC also recommends that dental professionals undergo a new check every three years.
Data Protection: Handle DBS information securely and in compliance with data protection regulations (GDPR).
Legal Advice: Seek legal advice if you have any doubts about the appropriate level of DBS check for a particular role.
Financial Implications of DBS Checks
Not completing appropriate checks may lead to a breach in safeguarding and a heavy fine.
Resources:
General Dental Council (GDC): https://www.gdc-uk.org/
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS): https://www.gov.uk/dbs
Conclusion:
DBS checks are a vital component of ensuring patient safety and regulatory compliance in dental practices. By understanding the different levels of checks, the concept of regulated activity, and the importance of risk assessment, dental practices can make informed decisions about safeguarding and protect their patients from potential harm. Remember to stay updated on the latest DBS guidance, GDC standards, and seek professional advice when needed.
Things to remember:
Review your dental practice’s safeguarding policy and DBS check procedures.
Conduct risk assessments for all roles within the practice.
Ensure all staff members understand their safeguarding responsibilities.
Consider implementing a system for regularly reviewing DBS checks.
Disclaimer: This blog post provides general information only and should not be considered legal advice. Always consult with a legal professional or DBS expert for specific guidance related to your dental practice.
