2017, issue 6

Protecting patients - assessing best interests

Rupert Hoppenbrouwers
ByRupert Hoppenbrouwers
Published09 February 2017
Deciding when and how to apply the best interest principle to the care of a patient isn't always straightforward.

No dental professional should be forced to provide treatment which is against their considered professional opinion and which they consider is not in the patient's best interest.

This page was correct at publication on 09/02/2017. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.

Rupert Hoppenbrouwers
Senior dento-legal adviser

Rupert Hoppenbrouwers (BDS LDSRCS) was head of the DDU until his retirement at the end of 2015. He is a former general dental practitioner and was director of the School of Dental Hygiene at University College Hospital, London, from 1980 to 1986. He has lectured and written widely on risk management and dento-legal matters, has previously chaired the UK Dental Law and Ethics Forum, and has a particular interest in complex ethical and legal issues affecting dental members

Protecting patients - assessing best interests