Revised guidance to help students be clearer about patient safety

Students will be helped to develop an improved understanding of professionalism and the standards required of them and will be given guidance on how to put patients’ interests first.

Entitled ‘Student professionalism and fitness to practise’, the suite of resources for students, patients and education and training providers published on October 14, offers practical advice and guidance – including where to go for additional support – to help dental students achieve the level of professionalism expected once they join the dental register. This offers dental students the best start in their career as a dental professional.

This is the first revision since 2010, reflecting changes in the profession and the need to provide information that is relevant to students, patients and education providers. 

As well as students, the documents support patients who receive care or treatment from students by explaining what it means to be treated by a student and reassures them regarding the quality and standard of care. They also support training providers in their role in developing professionalism and monitoring the performance of their students.