What are the principles of utilitarianism?
The action should result in the greatest happiness or welfare for the greatest number of people
Consequences are a major consideration in calculating whether a moral decision is right or wrong
Whether a moral action is right or wrong is determined by particular rules of conduct, irrespective of the consequences
Moral behaviour should be unconditional or universal (determined by particular rules of conduct)
What are the principles of deontology?
Non-maleficence is the principle of doing harm to patients.
Beneficence is the idea of actively promoting what is good for a patient.
Beneficence may interfere with a patient's autonomy. This is sometimes permissible in cases where a patient lacks autonomy (proxy decision making).
Autonomy describes what?
Treating people equally
Understanding that people may make different decisions, regardless of our personal opinion
That people are self-governing; free to make decisions about their own life
That harm to the patient as a result of your actions is their problem
Justice describes what?
Being fair to everyone
Over-riding a patients autonomy
Raising concerns if the patient is at risk
Putting patients interests first is the first principle of the GDC's guidelines.
Consent does not have to be valid in order to operate on a patient.
The fifth standard for dentist's in the GDC guidelines is to raise concerns if the patient is at risk.
Criminal law is considered between which two parties?
An individual vs another individual
An individual vs a state organisation / society
In civil law, the crown court is the party that holds the legal burden of proof against the defendant.
In civil law, the burden of proof lies with the patient to prove that the defendant did commit an offence.
What is tort?
A civil wrong due to a breach of duty (e.g. negligence) which leads to legal liability of the defendant
A formal agreement that often takes the form of a written agreement
