ABSTRACT
Dental diseases are common and few people can escape the need for treatment at some time in their lives. This chapter considers the rights and the responsibilities of those who receive and those who provide healthcare. The United Nations Declaration in 1948 was an important document which articulated fundamental human rights and has been the basis for much of the development of common moral and legal standards in the second half of the 20th century. The establishment of the National Health Service (NHS) honoured the right to healthcare. It was based on healthcare being available, free at the point of delivery and for all. This includes the provision of dental treatment. More recently in 1995 the rights of patients were set out in the Patient's Charter for the NHS. The details of a dentist's responsibilities are set out in the Council's publication Maintaining Standards.
