During a busy session, the dentist suggests reusing scaler tips on multiple patients after wiping them down. Which GDC Standard would this breach?

The chosen answer is correct because reusing scaler tips on multiple patients without proper sterilization directly compromises patient safety and health. The General Dental Council (GDC) Standard to put patients' interests first and act to protect them emphasizes the responsibility of dental professionals to prioritize patient welfare above all else. By suggesting the reuse of scaler tips, the dentist undermines infection control protocols, potentially exposing patients to cross-contamination and increasing the risk of disease transmission.

Following proper sterilization procedures is essential in maintaining a safe clinical environment, which is fundamentally linked to protecting patients' interests. All patients have a right to expect that their care will be safe and that every effort is made to prevent harm. Therefore, this suggestion to reuse equipment contradicts the commitment to safeguard patients' health, thus breaching this GDC Standard.

Inadequate sterilization practices would not only violate the standard of ensuring quality of care but also challenge the underlying principles of maintaining professional competency and respect for patients, but the primary focus here is the direct threat to patient safety.