iDentistry The Journal identistry_jan_april2019 | Page 30

The Journal
8. Treatment according to an approved and
accepted plan: Provision of treatment as
discussed and agreed upon by Dental surgeon
and patient.
9. Provision of Information: A Dental surgeon is
obligated to provide to patients an honest
comment and opinion of their oral health.
10. Proper Management of Records:
a. A Dental surgeon must maintain accurate and
comprehensive records of medical and dental
histories, clinical findings, diagnoses, treatment
plans, and treatments of each patient.
b. Such records or reports of clinical information
must be released to the patient, or to whomever
the patient directs, when requested by the
patient.
c. When there is a transfer of patient care to
another Dental surgeon, the original dental
practitioner must ensure that a copy of the
patient’s record is readily available to the new
practitioner.
deal with all common diseases of the Oral cavity
by virtue of his qualification and training.
2. However, if the patient requires expert care of
a specialist, appropriate references to Dental or
Medical specialists may be made according to
the nature of the problem.
3. It is the duty of a specialist to refer the patient
back to the patient’s original dentist after the
treatment for which the referral was made.
4. While the specialist can collect his or her
fees, it would be unethical to pay commissions
or any kind of gratuity to the referring dental
surgeon.
5. A Dental Surgeon shall not receive from the
radiologist, laboratory or dispensing chemist
any kind of commission in the form of money,
gifts or gratuity for referrals. All referrals for
investigation should be judicious, justifiable and
done in the best interests of the patient to arrive
at a diagnosis.
b. Consultation for Patient's Benefit:
d. The Dental surgeon must not falsify written or
electronic documents including patient records
in any manner such as changing previous
entries, making false entries, or forging
signatures, with the intent to defraud, injure or
deceive another.
In every consultation, the benefit to the patient
is of foremost importance. All Dental Surgeons
engaged in the case should be frank with the
patient and his attendants.
c. Punctuality in Consultation:
e. The Dental surgeon must not misuse written
or electronic documents, including patient
records, by unauthorized removal of such
documents from their location of instruction or
storage, or unauthorized use or dissemination
of personal or private information in such
documents.
(C)
Duties of Dental Surgeons and
Specialists in Consultations
a. Consultation Etiquettes:
1. A Dental Surgeon should ordinarily be able to
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Punctuality for consultations should be
observed by a Dental Surgeon except in the
case of unavoidable professional delays which
are justifiable.
d. Opinions and Disclosure:
1. All statements to the patient or his
representatives made by any Consulting
Healthcare Professional and / or the
paramedical staff like nurses etc. should take
place in the presence of the Dental Surgeon,
except as otherwise agreed.
Vol. 15
No. 1
Jan-April 2019