Should 'fitness to practise' include safeguarding the reputation of the profession?
Earlier this year a dental nurse was reprimanded by the GDC for a single comment on social media. The nurse subsequently admitted that the comment was unprofessional and offensive. However, the comment did not mention her status as a dental nurse, nor did it involve any of her patients. The nurse did breach GDC guidance and therefore, within the current system, a reprimand was appropriate. This case highlights the perils of social media but also shows how dental professionals are judged on whether their non professional lives offend the public. Whether this is fair needs discussion.
BDJ