CODE OF ETHICS

Section 1

The dentist’s , dental hygienist’s, and dental technologist’s primary duty of serving thepublic is accomplished by giving his/ her professional service to the best of his/her capabilities in accordance with established standards of care and by conducting himself/herself in a manner befitting a professional ofhigh esteem.

Section 2

A dentist, dental hygienist, and dental technologist when consulted in an emergency by the patient of another, shall attend ONLY to the conditions leading to the emergency. Upon completion of the treatment, he/she shall return the patient to his/her dentist-of-record and inform him/her of the conditions found and treated.

Section 3

Dentist shall conduct himself/herself a professional deportment at all times; therefore, he shall not delegate procedure, services, or operations in the mouth which require his/her personal competence as a professional. He/she shall only delegate services to duly licensed dentist, licensed dental hygienist, or licensed dental technologist in his/her employ to perform dental services duly expressed by law.He/she shall at all times be responsible for the actions of his/her employ at the areas of his/her jurisdictions (orareas of assigned practice) during assigned clinic/duty hours.

Section 4

The dentist shall supervise his/her associates and his/her auxiliaries in the performance of their duties and shall at all times assure delivery of quality standards of care.

Section 5

The dentist shall ascertain fees for his/her professional services taking into con‐ sideration the nature of the case, his/her expertise of the case, efforts, skills and materials involved. The dentistmust discuss the treatment plan, options, and corresponding fees for the proposed treatment options. He/sheshall at all times give credence to his/her work and, therefore, establish his/her professional fees rendering duedignity to the profession.

Section 6

The dentist shall conduct himself/herself in a manner completely abovesuspicion or reproach. The dentist shall not allow his/her name to cover up illegal acts such as misrepresenta‐ tion of industrial/commercial/private establishments required by law to engage the services of a dentist or for il‐ legal practitioners, quacks, or charlatans; or to provide certification without due basis.

Section 7

In the interest of public health, the dentist, dental hygienist, and dental tech‐ nologist must make available their discoveries, inventions, or works which are useful in safeguarding or promot‐ ing health, subject to government regulatory laws.

Section 8

The dentist, dental hygienist, and dental technologist shall participate inprograms designed for oral health education and care. They shall participate in volunteer programs for the de‐ livery of oral health services in underserved and underprivileged areas.

Section 9

In all efforts to improve the dental health of the public, the dentist, dental hygienist, anddental technologist shall make available to the community their skills, knowledge, and experiences, particularly in the field of specialty.

Section 10

Every dentist participating in research projects involving procedure in the oral cavity toany person/s must conform to international ethical standards taking into considerations the human rights of the subjects and duly informing them of the outcome and risks of the study. Each subject must have a signed informed consent form/s obtained at the onset of the study; and in instances where changes in the research protocol is essential for the completion of the study, another signed informed consent form must be obtained from the subjects. In the event that minors are the subjects of the study, parental consent must be obtained.

Section 11

Every dentist must obtain baseline medical and dental record for all patients ofhis/her office. The said record must include, among others, his/her treatment plan, diagnostic records such as radiographs, blood test record/results, consent form. Medical clearance must be filed with the patients dental records and must be in his/her safekeeping for at least ten (10) years.

Section 12

The right of every dentist, dental hygienist, and dental technologist toprofessional status rests in the degree of knowledge, skills, and efficiency with which he/she serves his/her pa‐ tients, his/her community, and the nationalities under his/her care.

Section 13

The dentist, dental hygienist, or dental technologist shall report all violations of the“Philippine Dental Act of 2007”, rules and regulations governing the practice of Dentistry, and this Code, as maybe committed by a duly licensed dentist, dental hygienist, or dental technologist, or non-Dentist, which comesto their knowledge, to the appropriate chapter or affiliate society, the Board, or the Professional RegulationCommission. Alleged illegal dental practitioners must be treated with due respect in accordance to their prima‐ ry human rights and must be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Section 14

The dentist shall seek consultation or make a referral whenever the welfare of the patient requires recourse to those who possess appropriate professional expertise. The consultant shall discuss the details of the case management to the referring dentist and patient. The consultant shall observe and manage post-operative conditions and refer the patient back to the referring dentist after the management of the cause of the referral.

Section 15

The dentist shall properly endorse his or her patient to another dentist withproper release of documents in instances such as transfer of residence or palace of work of either the patientor dentist; closure of the dental clinic; or migration of the dentist to another country, in instances wherein healthy relation between patient and dentist no longer exists, for whatever reason. Certification of Release must contain extent of work rendered and absence, or presence of obligation from the previous dentist-of-record.

Section 16

The dentist shall institute corrective treatment in case of faultymanagement by another dentist without criticism.

Section 17

The dentist shall perform in good faith and with due diligence allhis/her obligations arising from agreements with patients, or other persons and financing institution, or otherinstrumentalities, so as not to undermine the prestige of the profession.

Section 18

The dentist, the dental hygienist, or dental technologist shall consider the dignity of the dental profession before providing professional opinion or endorsement of professional and/or proprietary products and techniques. A dentist, dental hygienist, or dental technologist or any association of dentists shall not give direct testimonials or endorsement of products for the delivery of dental care.

Section 19

The dentist, dental hygienist, or dental technologist shall make his/herpractice known in a manner befitting a professional.

Section 20

The best and honorable means by which a dentist, dental hygienist, or den‐ tal technologist may make known and advance his/her reputation for skills and competence in the practice of dentistry is through his professional services to his/her patients and to the public.

Section 21

The dentist shall use newspaper announcement only when opening a new clinic,or when changing location, or limiting the character of his/her practice; provided, that the newspaper an‐ nouncement shall not be larger than 2 column by 2 column inches. Announcements in print, website, e-cards, and other electronic form of communication shall be posted within thirty (30) days from the date of opening.Announcement cards may be sent when there is a change in location, or an alteration in the character of practice, but to other dentists, members of the health profession, and patients-of-record.

Section 22

The dentist, dental hygienist, and dental technologist shall beactive members of the Philippine Dental Association, (PDA) Inc., the integrated national organization of dentists,dental hygienists, and dental technologists duly recognized by the Board of Dentistry and accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission and of the bona fide Dental Chapter of the association within area ofhis/her practice. His/her membership requires financial support in reasonable amount fixed by the associationand chapter.

Section 23

Violation of this Code and the interpretation or construction of any provisionthereof may be resolved in the first instance by the Judicial Committee of the Chapter or Affiliate Society motuproprio, or at the relation of any person under oath. The PDA President shall indorse to or file with the Board ofDentistry the committee’s finding for administrative action.

Section 24

The Board, even without endorsement or complaint filed by the PDA, Inc., shall conductthe administrative investigation pursuant to PRC Res. No. 06-342, Series of 2006 upon complaint of a person, natural or juridical, or motu proprio, and shall accordingly, impose the disciplinary action of the nullification or suspension of the certificate of registration and professional identification card of the registered and licensed dentist, dental hygienist or dental technologist, or the cancellation of a temporary/special permit issued to a foreign dentist, should the respondent be found guilty under Sec. 22, Art. III of R.A. No. 9484 for violation of thisCode, or Sec. 22 (a): unprofessional and unethical conduct, after due process.

Section 25

If any section or provision of this Code shall be declared, unconstitutional orinvalid, such declaration shall not affect any other section or provision hereof.

Section 26

Board Resolution No. 60, Series of 1983 is hereby repealed. All other codes, is‐ suances, rules, regulations, or orders on the behavior of registered and licensed dentists, registered and li‐ censed dental technologists, dental assistants or technicians in conflict with any section or provision of thisCode shall be modified or repealed accordingly.

Section 27

This Board Resolution or Code shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the fulland complete publication thereof in the Official Gazette, or any newspaper of general circulation in thePhilippines.