Journal of Disability and Oral Health

cover art

Cover Date:
March 2010
Print ISSN:
1470-8558
Vol:
11
Issue:
1

The Mental Capacity Act 2005: its significance for Special Care Dentistry and patient care

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 came into force for both England and Wales, and was fully implemented by October 2007 (for Scotland separate legislation exists, which is the Adults with Incapacity Act 2000). Since this time, many Primary Care Trusts in England and Wales have developed guidance on implementing the legislation. However, there has been very little written about the day to day challenges faced by the healthcare professionals who must abide by the Act, and its accompanying Code of Practice. Within Adult Special Care Dentistry, a significant portion of the caseload can consist of vulnerable adults who lack decision-making capacity, or whose decision-making capacity may be in doubt; in these situations, the Mental Capacity Act will be of particular relevance. Composite scenarios based on the authors’ experiences are presented to illustrate some of the challenges that may be faced by the clinician, along with their impact on patient assessment, and oral health care provision. The Act emphasises the need for effective communication within the multi-disciplinary care environment which surrounds many of these potentially vulnerable adults. It is important to raise awareness of the Act and the Code of Practice amongst all members of the care team, including those who provide informal care, and support for the patient, and most importantly, the patients themselves.


Key words: Mental Capacity Act 2005, Code of Practice, Special Care Dentistry, vulnerable adults

Article Price
£15.00
Institution Article Price
£
Page Start
21
Page End
24
Authors
A Kaul, D Mudie, S Berman

Articles from this issue

  • Title
  • Pg. Start
  • Pg. End

  1. Editorial
  2. 2
  3. 2

  1. Osteoradionecrosis - a review of prevention and management
  2. 3
  3. 9

  1. Patients’ and carers’ views of a Special Care Dentistry general anaesthetic service
  2. 10
  3. 13

  1. Establishing a procedure for managing poor standards of oral care in vulnerable and dependent adults
  2. 14
  3. 16

  1. The Mental Capacity Act 2005: its significance for Special Care Dentistry and patient care
  2. 21
  3. 24

  1. The Mental Capacity Act 2005: implementation within Special Care Dental services
  2. 25
  3. 31

  1. Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita: dental findings and treatment of an 8-year-old child
  2. 32
  3. 36

  1. Disability and cultural issues in research – lessons learned
  2. 37
  3. 43

  1. Diary Page 2010
  2. 47
  3. 47

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