Chaperone Policy
The Composite Bonding Company is committed to providing a safe, supportive patient environment.
Role of the Chaperone
There is no standard definition of a chaperone, and their role varies considerably depending on the needs of the patient, the healthcare professional and the examination or procedure being carried out. Their role can be considered in any of the following areas:
Providing emotional comfort and reassurance to patients
To act as an interpreter
To protect healthcare professionals against unfounded allegations of improper behaviour
In very rare circumstances, to protect the clinician against an attack
An experienced chaperone will identify unusual or unacceptable behaviour on the part of the healthcare professional
A chaperone is present as a safeguard for all parties (patient and practitioners) and is a witness to continuing consent of the procedure.
Type of Chaperone
The designation of the chaperone will depend on the role expected of them and on the wishes of the patient. It is helpful to consider whether the chaperone is required to carry out an active role – such as participation in the examination or procedure or have a passive role, such as providing support to the patient during the procedure.
Informal chaperone
A family member, friend, parent, legal guardian, non-clinical staff member, or healthcare student. Many patients feel reassured by the presence of a familiar person, and this request should be accepted in almost all cases.
Formal chaperone
A formal chaperone implies a clinical health professional, such as a dental nurse, or a specifically trained non-clinical staff member, such as a receptionist. This individual will have a specific role to play in terms of the consultation, and this role should be made clear to both the patient and the person undertaking the chaperone role. This may include assisting in the procedure being carried out. In these situations, staff should have had sufficient training to understand the role they were expected to play. Common sense would dictate that, in most cases, it is not appropriate for a non-clinical staff member to comment on the appropriateness of the procedure or examination, nor would they feel able to do so.
Treating patients alone without chairside support
GDC standard 6.2: You must be appropriately supported when treating patients and
GDC standard 6.2.1: You must not provide treatment if you feel that the circumstances make it unsafe for the patients.
Whilst all dental care professionals must be appropriately supported, the GDC does not necessarily require all dental care professionals to have direct access to chairside support at all times. Dental Care Professionals should assess the circumstances and make a clinical judgement about the appropriate support level to treat the patient safely. However, they would need to justify their actions to the GDC if their decision was questioned in a fitness to practise hearing.
Respecting Privacy & Dignity
Objectives
To provide a framework for improving the patient experience in all care areas within our dental practice around six key themes:
Attitudes and behaviours
Personal world and identity
Personal boundaries and space
Communication between staff and patients
Privacy and confidentiality of personal information
Privacy, dignity and modesty.
General Principles
Every staff member must see that the privacy and dignity of all patients are respected.
The practice consistently monitors the environment within the practice regarding privacy and dignity issues.
Respectful attitudes and behaviours are promoted and assured, preventing patients from experiencing offensive and negative attitudes and behaviours.
Patients and relatives/carers should be given clear information on how to raise concerns and to whom.
Problems in relation to standards and guidelines on privacy and dignity in the care of patients shall be monitored and reported through the serious incident reporting system.
Attitudes & Behaviours – Patients feel that they matter all the time.
Respectful attitudes and behaviours are promoted and assured, including consideration of non-verbal behaviour and body language.
Issues about attitude and behaviour towards minority groups are addressed with individual staff.
Personal World & Personal Identity – Patients experience care in an environment that actively encompasses individual values, beliefs and personal relationships.
Stereotypical views are challenged, and the valuing of diversity is demonstrated.
Individual needs and choices are ascertained and continuously reviewed.
Personal Boundaries & Space – All staff actively promote a patient’s personal space.
The name that the patient wants to be called is agreed upon and noted.
The acceptability of personal contact (touch) is identified with the individual patient.
Personal and private space is respected and protected for individuals, and privacy is effectively maintained.
Communication between Staff and Patients – Communication between staff and patients takes place in a manner that respects their individuality.
Access to translation and interpretation services is provided as appropriate.
Information is adapted to meet the needs of individual patients are identified.
All information is factual, presented in plain language without jargon or abbreviations, and understood at the required level.
Relevant communication exchanges are recorded.
Privacy & Confidentiality of Personal Information – Information is shared with consent to enable care.
Informed consent is sought when using trained interpreters.
Precautions are taken to prevent information from being shared inappropriately.
The practice’s consent, confidentiality policy, Caldicott principles and information security policies must always be followed.
Privacy, Dignity, & Modesty – Patient care actively promotes privacy and dignity and protects modesty.
Patients are protected from unwanted public view whenever appropriate.
A private area is created or made available.
