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.