2021, issue 19

Protecting vulnerable patients

Rupert Hoppenbrouwers
ByRupert Hoppenbrouwers
Published17 May 2021
Perhaps now more than ever, there is an opportunity for dental professionals to play a vital role in protecting at-risk patients.

If you are concerned that a patient may be abused or neglected, your first and foremost duty is to that patient and that patient alone.

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Issues of confidentiality may arise, but should not get in the way of taking the action needed to protect the patient from further harm.

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This page was correct at publication on 17/05/2021. 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