The scene

A student dentist was spending the Christmas holidays at home with the family when her brother asked her for help.

Her brother explained that he'd bitten down hard on something the previous weekend and lost one of his fillings, but had bought a temporary repair kit because he didn't want to ruin his holidays with a trip to the dentist. He asked his sister if she could fit the temporary filling as soon as possible, as the tooth was feeling sensitive and beginning to ache.

Although she hadn't yet looked at the tooth herself, the student was concerned that it might be exposed and a temporary filling wouldn't be appropriate. On the other hand, she didn't want to let her brother down and felt under pressure to fix the problem.

DDU advice

The student is right to think that treating her brother isn't in his best interests - but this could easily have upsetting consequences for her too.

Even as a practising dentist, agreeing to examine and treat her brother's tooth at home would establish a duty of care. It would be important to explain the limitations of the care that could be provided and the consequences of not examining her brother with suitable lighting and equipment. If anything went wrong in this situation, the treating clinician would be responsible for their actions, as they would with any other patient.

As a student, giving into pressure would be committing a criminal offence because only suitably qualified and registered dental professionals are legally permitted to practise dentistry under the Dentists Act 1984.

She would also fall short of the standards set out in 'Student professionalism and fitness to practise' which requires students to put patients' interests first, work within their professional knowledge and skills, and ensure personal behaviour maintains patients' confidence in them and the profession. If it came to the attention of her dental school, the student might face fitness to practise proceedings that put her place on the course - and future career - in jeopardy.

What happened next

The student told her brother it would be best if he saw an emergency dentist, explaining that there was a risk that a temporary filling could compromise the tooth by sealing in infection.

Her brother was annoyed but eventually made an emergency appointment with his dentist the following day. The dentist later confirmed that the tooth showed signs of infection and recommended root canal treatment.

Treating a family member

Emily Howden

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