iDentistry The Journal identistry_jan_april2019 | Page 24

The Journal
3. They should try continuously to improve
medical knowledge and skills and should make
available to their patients and colleagues the
benefits of their professional attainments.
4. The Dentist / Dental Surgeon should practice
methods of healing founded on scientific basis
and should not associate professionally with
anyone who violates this principle.
5. The honoured ideals of the dental profession
imply that the responsibilities of the Dental
Professionals extend not only to individuals but
also to Society.
6. Membership in Dental and Medical
Associations and Societies: For the
advancement of his/her profession, a Dental
Surgeon should be encouraged to affiliate with
associations and societies of dental, oral and
allied medical professionals and play a
proactive role in the promotion of oral health in
particular and health of an individual in general.
7. A Dentist / Dental Surgeon should enrich his
professional knowledge by participating in
professional meetings as part of Continuing
Dental and Medical Education programs /
Scientific Seminars / Workshops as stipulated
by the regulations made by the statutory bodies
from time to time and should register any
mandatory requirements with the state
registration bodies or any other body as
stipulated.
c. Maintenance of Dental/Medical records:
1. Every Dental surgeon shall maintain the
relevant records pertaining to his out-patients
and in-patients (wherever applicable).
2. These records must be preserved for a
minimum period of three years from the date of
commencement of the treatment in a format
determined by the Council or accepted as a
standard mode of documentation.
24
3. If any request is made for medical or dental
records either by the patients / authorized
attendant or legal authorities involved, the
same may be issued to the competent authority
within 72 hours after having obtained a valid
receipt for all documents. It is prudent to keep
certified photocopies /carbon copies of such
submissions.
4. A Registered Dental practitioner shall
maintain a Register of Medical Certificates
giving full details of certificates issued. When
issuing a medical certificate he shall always
enter the identification marks of the patient and
keep a copy of the certificate. He shall not omit
to record the signature and/or thumb mark,
address and at least one identification mark of
the patient on the medical certificates or report.
The medical certificate shall be prepared as per
the format in Appendix II on next page (Attached
Image – Appendix 2).
5. Efforts shall be made to digitalize dental/
medical records for quick retrieval.
d. Display of Registration Numbers:
1. Every Dental practitioner shall display the
registration number accorded to him by the
State Dental Council in his clinic and in all his
prescriptions, certificates and money receipts
given to his patients.
2. Dental Surgeons shall display as suffix to
their names only recognized Dental degrees
which are recognized by the Council or other
qualifications such as certificates / diplomas
and memberships/ honours / fellowships which
are conferred by recognized Universities /
recognized bodies approved by the Council and
obtained by convocation in person or in
absentia. Any other qualifications such as
medical degrees, doctorates, postdoctoral
degrees or any degree that has bearing on the
person’s knowledge or exemplary qualification
may be used as suffix in a manner that does not
Vol. 15
No. 1
Jan-April 2019