Could you quote this act and does you practice comply?

Whilst this paper is aimed primarily at those practitioners working in the field of special care dentistry who can expect a significant proportion of their case-load to comprise vulnerable adults who lack decision-making capacity, we all see such patients from time to time and it is essential that we comply with the relevant legislation. This paper presents three scenarios, based on the authors' experiences, to illustrate some of the situations which may be encountered. The scenarios may make an interesting exercise for a staff-training session under professional CPD. The actual relevant legislation was set out in two preceding papers in this edition of the journal, and all three together may prove a useful practice resource.

For example, the legislation provides for those patients at risk to be provided with a capacity assessment. However, suggesting that this be implemented may leave these patients feeling threatened, angry or aggrieved, and it is how these situations are dealt with that is addressed in this paper. All too often practitioners are familiar with the word of the Law but have never been called upon to apply it in a clinical situation. The experience of the authors presented in this paper would provide valuable lessons for those who may find themselves in this position. The legislation must be complied with and wider dissemination to patients, carers and clinicians can only improve the care of vulnerable adult patients.