About Us

Introduction

Third parties have been associated with dentistry for many years, mostly servicing commercial needs and opportunities related to dentistry.

Definitions

A Third Party is an outside body that can influence the relationship between the dentist and the patient. These include:

• owners of dental clinics who are not dentists;
• regulatory authorities;
• the dental industry; and
• professional indemnity providers. Principles

The primary relationship in the delivery of dental care is between the dentist and the patient.

Ideally, the dentist and the patient (or the parent, guardian, or other legally responsible person) mutually develop strategies to ensure long time optimum health outcomes.

Dentists and patients each have obligations to each other as defined by law and ethical considerations.

The placing of restrictions on professional privileges of dentists by third parties for their own financial gain is unacceptable.

Policy

Third parties must not influence the primary relationship between the dentist and the patient in any way that diminishes a patient’s right to achieve long term optimum oral health.

Third Parties should not limit or influence the patient’s choice of dental provider.

In dealing with third parties, there is a need for a uniform coding system of dental services.

Complaints resolution mechanisms must be transparent, fair and reasonable.

Corporate Ownership

Introduction

The Indian Dental Association (IDA) recognises the increase in corporate delivered dental services.

Principles

The oral health needs of the community are best met by a clinically efficient and ethically conducted dentist-owned practice. This model provides community-based care with adequate opportunity for continuity of service and patient records (single patient record).

It is possible to facilitate quality and efficiency gains within the existing framework of dentist owned clinics, without the need for equity investment by non-dentists or corporate owners.

Whilst it has been claimed that corporatisation will deliver improved economies of scale, improved patient focus and increased competition, there is no evidence to support such economic largesse.

The introduction of an additional managerial layer and the need to provide financial returns to the shareholder or owner may:

• compromise the individual dentist’s ability to practise patient- centred dentistry, including the formulation of treatment plans and referral of patients;
• compromise the ethical standards of an individual dentist and patient treatment outcomes by requiring an agreed turnover, thus affecting the quality and time available to be spent with patients;
• see the achievement of a return on shareholders’ funds or owners’ equity being placed above the interests and needs of the patient; and
• result in the development of vertical and horizontal integration structures and the resultant tendency to refer patients inappropriately and thus increase the cost base to patients.

Rural and remote areas with lower population densities are disadvantaged by corporate philosophy of providing services in only larger population centres. This is of particular concern where patients, because of age, access or equity reasons, would find difficulty utilising dental services.

Any dentist considering the sale of a dental practice to a corporate entity should seek independent legal and accounting advice.

Boards must have sufficient legislative power and resources to :

• prosecute unethical and unscrupulous corporate behaviour;
• limit, restrict or cancel the registration of corporations that are found guilty of such behaviour; and
• ensure that investigative and procedural mechanisms are expedient and performed in such a manner as to protect the community at large.

Complaints Resolution

Principles

• The Indian Dental Association [IDA] recognises it has a number of obligations with respect to complaints concerning professional duties.
• The interests of the patient must always be paramount.
• IDA should maintain mechanisms which aim to ensure its members practise dentistry at the highest possible standard.
• Self-regulation by the dental profession should be preserved and promoted.

Responsibility

• IDA recognises its responsibility for matters concerning conduct, performance and standards in the provision of services by its members.
• IDA may provide a mechanism to resolve a dispute where a dentist, who is a member of the IDA, is the subject of a potential or actual formal complaint about that member's conduct, performance or standards in the provision of services.
• IDA may co-operate in a mechanism to resolve a dispute where a dentist, who is not a member of the IDA, is the subject of a potential or actual formal complaint about that dentist's conduct, performance or standards in the provision of services.
• IDA recognises the role of the Dental Council in the resolution of complaints.

Conciliation

• Conciliation is a process which attempts to resolve differences between dentists and complainants without recourse to adjudication. It may be made available through the IDA.
• Conciliation should be available to deal with complaints concerning all dentists.
• The means for conciliation should be available as a primary response to a formal written complaint.
• The conciliatory mechanism should use the services of experienced dental practitioners.
• Information provided by a practitioner who is the subject of a complaint during conciliation should remain privileged and be quarantined from future adjudicative or civil proceedings.
• Where conciliation mechanisms have failed to resolve a dispute then the matter may proceed to adjudication utilising either peer review mechanisms or appropriate statutory authorities.
• In matters requiring adjudication, preference should be given to peer review mechanisms which allow assessment of the appropriateness and quality of care.

Principles Of Peer Review

• Peer Review is a system by which the dental profession assumes a responsibility for reviewing matters concerning the performance of a dentist in carrying out professional duties, upon receipt of a formal complaint.
• Peer Review is intended to provide assessment of an alleged deficient practice.
• Appropriate matters for assessment by Peer Review might include (but are not limited to):
• propriety of treatment;
• appropriateness of care;
• quality of services rendered;
• reasonableness of fees;
• questions of overall provider competency.
• The following guidelines should apply to the operation of Peer Review:
• Assessment of a complaint against a practitioner must be by a committee composed of the practitioner's peers.
• All parties concerned should agree to recognise the authority and finding of a Peer Review Committee.
• A Peer Review Committee should employ established parameters for the assessment of clinical quality and professional performance.
• Clinical assessment may be made only with the consent of both patient and practitioner.
• Where clinical assessment of a patient is undertaken, a Peer Review Committee may engage independent consultants, who should be remunerated.
• A consultant's report shall be in writing, limited to facts, and must only be made to the Peer Review Committee.
• Members of a Peer Review Committee and its consultants must be afforded protection against litigation arising from their participation in the review.
• Where either party initiates legal procedures in connection with a complaint, the review shall cease.

Dental Industry

Introduction

Dentists and the Indian dental industry have, for many years, worked cooperatively for their mutual benefit. The community has gained from this relationship as it has helped the profession provide dentistry of the highest standard.

There has been a concentration in ownership of dental companies over the past few years.

From time to time, IDA publications have been asked to accept advertising material that is conditional on provision of an “advertorial” in support of the product being advertised.

Principles

It is in the best interests of the dental profession and the dental industry for both groups to work together cooperatively to provide the best environment to produce a high standard of dentistry for the Indian community.

The dental industry and the dental profession would be best served by a broadly based industry.

The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) is the appropriate body to set Standards for dental equipment and materials.

Standards which have been established internationally should be assessed by Indian authorities and used, if appropriate, to approve the availability of dental materials, drugs and equipment for use in India, to prevent duplication and reduce costs.

Cooperation between the dental profession and the dental industry will enhance the delivery of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Some members of the dental industry have marketed products and procedures directly to the public. Only dentists can assess the appropriate treatment plans and materials used for the treatment of patients.

Policy

IDA should retain a Standing Committee that is concerned with dental equipment and materials and which may invite representatives of the dental industry to attend its meetings.

The ISO should set Standards for dental equipment and materials.

The dental industry should be encouraged to participate in exhibitions in conjunction with major IDA CPD events.

The dental industry should be encouraged to support CPD by working closely with the IDA and its Branches, but such support should not influence the independence of presentations. Relationships between lecturers and industry sponsors should be openly and fully declared.

In advertising and promotion to the profession, the dental industry should:

• provide accurate and/or evidence-based information; and
• provide independent research to validate claims. In advertising and promotion to the public, the dental industry should:
• only advertise and promote consumer products;
• not promote treatment modalities; and
• not direct the public to a restricted number of dentists who have bought their product with the implication that this is the only option or with an unsupported claim that it is superior to alternatives.

IDA must inform its membership where there is evidence that dental companies are inaccurately representing products to the profession and/or the public.

IDA publications should not accept advertising material that is conditional on provision of an “advertorial” in support of the product being advertised.

Professional Indemnity

Introduction

Dentists in India have been offered professional indemnity by insurance companies, co-operatives or mutual protection societies, often in a scheme of cooperation with IDA Branches.

Indian legislation requires that professional indemnity be in the form of insurance.

It is acknowledged that a number of factors contribute to changes in professional indemnity subscription rates to practitioners. These factors may include:

• the level of indemnification;
• the increasing incidence of claims for damages for negligence against dental practitioners;
• the increasing cost of litigation;
• the increasing amount of compensation awarded;
• the need to fund damages claims which may have occurred, but have not yet been reported;
• a need for dental practitioners to be legally represented before a variety of regulatory boards and tribunals; and
• a lack of incentives for parties to seek alternative means of dispute resolution.

Definitions

Indemnity is an agreement between parties to provide protection for a person or persons against a contingent liability.

Adverse Event is an injury to a patient which results in a temporary or permanent disability that was caused by health care management.

RISK MANAGEMENT is the discipline of identifying, monitoring and limiting risks.

Principles

Dental practitioners are accountable to their peers and to the public for their professional conduct. It is essential to distinguish between dental practitioners’ negligent acts and non-negligent adverse events. Effective risk management strategies will minimize adverse events and their consequences. In the interests of patients and the public, claims for compensation should be resolved without undue delay, without incurring undue costs, and without causing loss of public confidence.

Policy

As a requirement for registration, dental practitioners must carry professional indemnity cover or be guaranteed indemnity cover by their employers, in order that those patients who may be harmed by negligent treatment may be swiftly and justly compensated.

Dentists should take an active interest in professional indemnity issues.

Dentists should be educated in and implement risk management strategies.

Providers of professional indemnity cover must be regulated and must meet Indian financial standards.

There should be greater utilisation of alternative dispute resolution procedures rather than the adversarial Court system.

Dentists who have had action taken against them for adverse events should be fully supported and defended by their professional indemnifier.

A professional indemnity contract and all information provided to dentists should clearly set out:

• the level of indemnification;
• forms of assistance available to dentists;
• costs of subscriptions and other financial information;
• the existence of any dental practice activities excluded from coverage;
• the arrangements which are in place for tail cover once membership ceases; and
• any other relevant information.

Dentists must be entitled to request and receive relevant financial information and data from their professional indemnity provider which will fully inform them of the true financial situation of the professional indemnity provider and their own current and future exposure.

Professional indemnity providers must refer concerns about individual dentists, who have multiple claims and questions of substandard practice, to the relevant IDA Branch for appropriate action, before a decision not to effect indemnity cover renewal is made or risk rating applied.

Professional indemnity providers should provide the IDA and its Branches with de-identified data so that appropriate training and education can be developed to minimize adverse incidents and outcomes.

Professional indemnity providers should provide dentists with ongoing risk management advice including through the sponsorship or delivery of continuing professional development.

Dental Acts And Councils

Introduction

The Dentistry Act, 1948 (Act 16 of 1948) is an act to regulate the profession of dentistry.

Definitions

The Council means the Dental Council of India. Fitness To Practise includes:

• the applicant’s mental and physical health;
• the applicant’s command of the English language;
• the applicant’s criminal history;
• any deregistration, suspension, condition or limitation imposed under a similar law; and
• the applicant’s recency of practice.

Dental Qqalifications means that a practitioner has maintained an adequate connection with the profession since qualifying.

Recognized By The Council under Section 11.

Practice requirements may include:

• the nature, extent and period of practice;
• the nature and extent of any continuing professional development undertaken;
• the nature and extent of any research, study or teaching relating to dentistry; and
• the nature and extent of any administrative work relating to dentistry.

Annual Renewal Of Registration is the process of re-registering a person already registered.

Principles

Purpose of Regulation To ensure the health and safety of the community, it is essential to regulate dental practice as it includes irreversible, invasive and exposure prone procedures and potentially fatal risks.

Dental Act

The Objective of a Dental Act should be to:

Protect the public by ensuring that health care is delivered by health care providers in a professional, safe and competent way;
and Uphold the standards of practice within the health professions;

and Maintain public confidence in the health professions;
and Provide a uniform system to deal with complaints, investigations and disciplinary proceedings relating to health care providers, and to the management of impaired practitioners;

and Provide a system to deal with complaints about practitioners.

Council

Dental Council must reflect contemporary community expectations of standards of dental care, as well as those of oral care providers and other relevant scientific and standard setting bodies.
The council members must have or acquire a broad knowledge of health, governance, communication and legal issues.

Policy

Composition of Council

The Council must be expert with regard to the practice of the whole of dentistry. Therefore the composition of the Council must based on expertise and allow for representation of oral health practitioners other than dentists.

Council should be composed of the following:

• One registered dentist,
• one member elected from amongst themselves by members of the Medical Council of India,
• 4 members selected from among themselves,
• one member to represent each university established by law in the states which grants a recognized dental qualifications,
• six members nominated by the Central government and;
• Director-general of Health Services (ex-officio).

Role of Council

The role of Council should be to:

• protect public health and safety by - setting minimum standards of dental practice through promulgation of Codes of Practice, Policies and Guidelines, counseling and/or disciplining oral care providers, and maintaining a Register, part of which is open to the public;
• register dental care providers.

Governance of Council

Good governance of Council should include the following:

• measures to ensure that appointees are competent to be Board members;
• use of outside expertise;
• decisions based on evidence; and
• consultation with stakeholders before promulgation of Codes, Policies and Guidelines.

Communication with Registrants

• It is essential that Council keep their registrants fully informed on matters
  pertaining to the regulation of dental practice within the Council’s jurisdiction.

Communication with the Public

• It is essential that Council inform the public on relevant matters pertaining to the
  regulation of dental practice within the Council’s jurisdiction.

Indian Register

• The Council maintains a register of dentists known as the Indian Dentists Register and consisting of the entries in all the state registers if India.
• Each state council shall supply to the council copies of the state register after the first day of April each year the state register and inform the council of all the additions or amendments in the state register.

Criteria for Registration

All registrations must be based on the holding of appropriate qualifications and fitness to practice.

Accreditation of Qualifications
Accreditation of qualifications should be done by an accrediting authority although
such a body may be part of or should report to a Council.

Examination of Holders of Unaccredited Qualifications
Boards must have the power to decide if the holders of unaccredited qualifications have an equivalent qualification
to an accredited Indian qualification and have
the power to examine such persons. However Boards should delegate this
assessment and examination function to an accrediting authority.

Fees

Registration fees must be calculated on a cost recovery and apply equally to all practitioners.

Renewal of Registration
Registration must be renewed every year and practitioners must continue to meet
fitness to practise and recency of practice requirements.
Restriction of Practice and Definition of Dentistry

Restriction of Practice

The Dental Act must make it illegal for persons who are not dentists to practice dentistry. Exceptions should be made for:

• students and other dental registrants for their scope of practice;
• medical practitioners (for dental emergencies);
• anyone to provide first aid in emergencies; and
• removal of primary teeth without local or general anaesthetic by parents or other persons.

The removal of primary teeth by parents or other persons without local or general anaesthetic should also be excluded from the restriction. The scope of practice and supervision requirements for operative allied dental personnel should be defined in Regulation along with prescribed qualifications.

Definition of Dentistry

The practice of dentistry should be defined in Dental Acts as:

• The practice of dentistry should be defined in Dental Acts as:
• performance of any invasive and/or irreversible procedure on the natural
  teeth or parts of a person’s body associated with their natural teeth;
• provision of artificial teeth or dental appliances or insertion of artificial
  teeth for a person; or
• making an intraoral adjustment of artificial teeth or dental appliances for
  a person.

Restriction of Titles

• The titles for dentists that should be protected and reserved are

“dentist”, “dental surgeon” and “dental practitioner”.

• The recognised titles for each dental speciality should be
  protected and reserved for persons registered as specialists.
• Students enrolled in dental education programs should be identified as such. Examples are “student dentist”, “orthodontic
  registrar”, “oral and maxillofacial surgery trainee”.
• The use by any dentist of the honorary title “doctor” should be
  

Falsely Holding Out

There must be provisions in Dental Acts prohibiting persons who are not
registered and also ensure registrants only use titles for which they
have been registered. Persons also should not
be allowed to use the word “specialist” or “speciality” or “specialty” in
circumstances that indicate that the person provides professional services in an area of dentistry that
is not presently recognised as a speciality.

Advertising

Provisions giving the Council power to act against false, misleading and
deceptive advertising should be included in a Dental Act.
Payment for Referrals
Payments for referrals and receiving payments for referrals must be
prohibited.

Professional Standards

Dental Acts should give Council the power to make Codes of Practice and
other professional standards.

Penalties

Complaints

Who May Make Complaints
A complaint against a registrant may be made by any person including but not limited to a patient, a patient’s representative or another registrant.

Credential for Hospital Practice

Introduction

Indian public and private hospitals make decisions about credentialing and defining the
scope of practice of dentists seeking to be engaged by hospitals or to make use of
hospital facilities.

Definitions

CREDENTIALING is verification of the qualifications, experience and professional
standing of dentists in order to decide whether they are professionally capable and
suitable to provide safe, high quality dental services within specific organisational
environments.

DEFINING THE SCOPE OF CLINICAL PRACTICE is delineating the extent of an
individual dentist’s clinical practice within a particular organisation based on his or
her credentials, competence, performance and professional suitability, and the
needs and capability of the organisation to support his or her clinical practice.

Principles

All dentists are registered to provide all dental treatment modalities unless restricted by a
condition imposed by a Council.

The need to provide treatment for some patients under general anaesthesia usually
pertains to the particular needs of the patient not the risk of the dental procedure.

Dentists in operating theatres will usually need the same range of equipment as in a
normal dental clinic and their own dental assisting staff to perform dental services.

This policy should apply where dentists are employed on a part-time or full- time basis by
hospitals with dental clinics or when dentists seek to make use of hospital operating
theatres, usually for patients requiring treatment under general anaesthesia.

Policy

Credentialing by hospitals should comply with the Quality Council of India for credentialing and defining the scope of clinical practice.

The National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB)
The scope of dental practice to be undertaken in hospitals must recognise that all dentists
are registered to provide all dental treatment modalities unless restricted by a condition
imposed by a Council.

Dentists should be credentialled, depending on their registration as general or specialist
dentists.

 

Limitations should only be placed on the scope of practice of a particular dentist if:

• a Council has imposed a condition or restriction on the registration of the dentist;
• the facilities available at the hospital do not permit certain treatment activities;
• the rostering of theatre access limits activities by allocating insufficient time to

complete a procedure, or

• the dentist considers that an area of practice is beyond their skill and training.

When the credentialling of a dentist is undertaken by a credentialling committee, there should be a dentist nominated by the IDA on that committee.

Dentists Relationships With The Pharmaceutical Industry

Introduction

The use of products produced by the pharmaceutical industry form an important part of the practice of dentistry. The pharmaceutical industry and dentists interact in the following areas where dentists:

• administer and prescribe drugs in the practice of dentistry;
• recommend the use of other pharmaceutical products;
• receive complimentary information and promotional products from the
  pharmaceutical industry; and
• are involved in research and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities in conjunction with the pharmaceutical industry.

Definition:

PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY is industry involved in the development, testing,
manufacturing and marketing of drugs and other medicinal products.

Principles

Professional interactions between dentists and the pharmaceutical industry should have as their primary objective the advancement of the health of patients rather than the self interests of either dentists or the industry. The primary way in which dentists should be informed about pharmaceutical products should be through independent CPD which could be enhanced by the dental profession and the pharmaceutical industry cooperating in its delivery. Transparency of arrangements between dentists and the pharmaceutical industry will improve confidence in the self-government role of the dental profession and ensure best treatment outcomes for patients.

Any research projects requiring the active cooperation between the dental profession and the pharmaceutical industry should be conducted under strict ethical guidelines. Pharmacists, when dispensing drugs, have a valuable role in checking the suitability of prescribed drugs. It is important that dental students are adequately trained in the ethical issues surrounding the use of pharmaceutical products.

When using or prescribing pharmaceutical products dentists should:

• only administer when using or prescribing pharmaceutical products dentists should:
  and prescribe drugs in the practice of dentistry;
• have the advancement of the health of patients as their primary objective;
• not dispense prescription drugs unless there is no reasonable alternative;
• not allow their prescribing habits or use of products to be influenced by personal
  gifts from the pharmaceutical industry or similar bodies; and
• always maintain professional autonomy, independence and commitment to the scientific method.

CPD and education regarding pharmaceutical products is essential for dentists to be well informed, and the pharmaceutical industry may contribute to such events provided:

• only administrator when using or prescribing pharmaceutical products dentists should:
  and prescribe drugs in the practice of dentistry;
• have the advancement of the health of patients as their primary objective;
• not dispense prescription drugs unless there is no reasonable alternative;
• not allow their prescribing habits or use of products to be influenced by personal
  gifts from the pharmaceutical industry or similar bodies; and
• always maintain professional autonomy, independence and commitment to the scientific method.

CPD and education regarding pharmaceutical products is essential for dentists to be well informed, and the pharmaceutical industry may contribute to such events provided:

• they address the educational needs of the targeted dental audience and not the marketing needs of the contributing pharmaceutical company;
• dentist organisers have the ultimate decision regarding the organisation, content and choice of CPD activities;
• CPD organisers and their delegates are not in a position of conflict of interest by virtue of any affiliation with the sponsors of those activities;
• financial and/or other aid received is acknowledged in the programme;
• the sponsor’s product is not excessively promoted; and
• any travel and accommodation arrangements, social events and venues for industry sponsored CPD activities are in keeping with the arrangements which would be in place in the absence of industry sponsorship.

When dental research requires the active cooperation between the dental profession and the pharmaceutical industry:

• dentists and dental researchers should satisfy themselves that the project has genuine merit, is not detrimental to the development of other more appropriate areas of research and is ethically defensible, socially responsible and scientifically
• the participation of dentists in research activities sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry should always be preceded by formal approval of the project by an appropriate review body; and

Dentists should not:

• be affiliated with pharmaceutical manufacturers if the nature of their affiliation
  influences their dental practice in an inappropriate fashion;
• knowingly invest in pharmaceutical companies where the investment might influence inappropriately the manner of their practice or their prescribing behavior;

nor

• accept a fee or equivalent consideration from pharmaceutical manufacturers or

distributors in exchange for participating in promotional or similar activities. Dentists may accept educational materials from pharmaceutical companies appropriate to their areas of practice. The curricula of Dental College should include formal training on the ethical association between dentists and the pharmaceutical industry.

Dentistry and the Legal System

Introduction

The primary relationship in the delivery of oral health care is between a dentist and a patient. Ideally, the dentist and patient (or the parent, guardian, or other legally responsible person) mutually develops strategies to ensure long term optimum health outcomes. Each party has obligations to each other as defined by law and ethical considerations. The relationship between the dentist and the patient can also be influenced by interactions with the legal system. These may occur in relationship to:

• consent to treatment;
• informed financial consent;
• dental records;
• confidentiality in the dentist-patient relationship;
• third party requests for assessment or reports for Courts;
• dental certificates;
• giving evidence;
• witnessing legal documents;
• regulatory authorities.

Definitions

COURT is a tribunal, authority or person having power to require the production of documents or the answering of questions and to administer a penalty.

Principles

It is essential that dentists have a basic understanding of their roles and responsibilities in interactions with the law. Legal obligations are complex and dentists will often need expert assistance to fulfil these obligations.

Policy

Dentists should ensure they comply with legal obligations relating to dental practice. If specific issues relating to legal obligations arise, dentists should seek advice and assistance in the first instance from the Indian Dental Association.

Regulatory Authorities

Introduction

Regulatory authorities became involved in the practice of dentistry when it was first regulated by legislation in Britain in 1878 and two years later in New Zealand. In India, the first Dental Act received Royal Assent in the colony of Victoria on December 16, 1887. Since then, the practice of dentistry has been regulated by the States and Territories to provide protection and safety for the public.

Definitions

Dental ACT is any Act that has a primary purpose to regulate the practice of dentistry. Dentistry is the science and art of preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries, developmental and acquired defects of the teeth,  joints, oral cavity and associated structures, within the context of general health. Dental Care Provider is a person registered by a Council to provide dental care. Standard Setting Organizations are independent bodies which set standards that may apply to dental practice, e.g., Bureau of Indian Standards.

Principle

Purpose of Regulation

To ensure the health and safety of the community, it is essential to regulate dental practice as it includes irreversible and invasive procedures and potentially fatal risks.

Policy

The regulation of dental practice should have the following elements and features.

Boards

Boards should regulate via:
Dental Acts, which should include:

• eligibility and procedures for registration;
• definition of dentistry;
• administration of the Board;
• administration of the Dental Register;
• restriction of practice to registered persons;
• specification of penalties for unprofessional conduct; and
• obligations on registrants and other persons including advertising Regulations, which should include:
• supervision and scope of practice of registered allied dental
  personnel; and
• recognised specialties.
  Codes of Practice and Guidelines, which must only be an elaboration of the Act and

should include:

• infection control standards;
• record keeping standards; and
• indemnity cover requirements.
  Dental Education Accrediting Authorities
  maintain the standard of courses pertaining to:
• dental qualification;
• specialist recognition; and
• allied dental qualification.

Assess the suitability for practice in India of persons with overseas dental qualifications.

Set uniform criteria for recognition of qualifications for registration.

Dental Complaints

Legal avenues available for aggrieved patients can be Medical Council of India or Dental Council of India, Civil Court, MRTP (Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission), Public Interest Litigation and Sections of Indian Penal Code, 1860.

Standard Setting Organisations

3.4 It is essential that any external body that sets standards for dental practice, which may be adopted by Boards, should consult widely and ensure that its standards are practical, cost effective and able to be incorporated into everyday dental practice.

Uniformity

3.5 There should be an India-wide uniformity in the following areas:

• Dental Acts and Regulations;
• recognition of dental specialties;
• scope of practice and training of allied dental personnel; and
• recognition of qualifications.
• Related Legislation 6 Specific legislation for dental practice:
• may complement other Acts, e.g., Trade Practice Act;
• should not duplicate other Acts and regulations, e.g., Privacy and
• Discrimination; and
• should be consistent with legislation of other areas of health care. Policy Statement 5.23