iDentistry The Journal identistry_jan_april2019 | Page 31

The Journal
2. The disclosure of the opinion to the patient or
his relatives or friends shall rest with the Dental
Surgeon.
3. Differences of opinion should not be divulged
to the patient unnecessarily but when there is
irreconcilable difference of opinion the
circumstances should be frankly and impartially
explained to the patient or his relatives or
friends. It would be up to them to seek further
advice, if they so desire.
e. Treatment after Consultation:
1. No decision should restrain the attending
Dental Surgeon from making such subsequent
variations in the treatment if any unexpected
change occurs, but at the next consultation,
reasons for the variations should be discussed /
explained.
2. The same privilege, with its obligations,
belongs to the consultant when sent for in an
emergency during the absence of attending
Dental surgeon.
3. The attending Dental Surgeon may prescribe
medicine at any time for the patient, whereas
the consultant may prescribe only in case of
emergency or as an expert when called for.
3. There is no bar on the display of fees and
other charges in the Dental Clinic.
4. Prescription should also make it clear if the
Dental Surgeon himself dispensed any
medicine.
5. A Dental Surgeon shall write his name and
designation in full along with the recognized
dental degrees and the registration particulars
in his prescription letter head.
6. In Government hospitals where the patient-
load is heavy, the name of the prescribing
doctor must be written below his signature.
(D) Responsibilities of Dental Surgeons to
one another:
1. Dependence of Dental Surgeons to each
other:
A Dental Surgeon should consider it as a
pleasure and privilege to render gratuitous
service to other dentists, physicians and their
immediate family dependants. However, there
is no mandatory bar on one accepting fees
particularly when it involves expensive
materials and time.
2. Conduct in Consultation:
f. Patients Referred to Specialists:
When a patient is referred to a specialist by the
attending Dental surgeon, a case summary of
the patient should be given to the specialist,
who should communicate his opinion in writing
to the attending Dental surgeon.
g. Fees and other charges:
1. A Dental Surgeon or the Clinic run by him
shall clearly indicate the cost of treatment for
the procedure and make an estimate of all costs
likely to be incurred.
2. Any increase in subsequent cost should be
justified by the Dental surgeon.
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In consultations, no insincerity, rivalry or envy
should be indulged in. All due respect should be
observed towards the Dental Surgeon /
Physician in-charge of the case and no
statement or remark be made, which would
impair the confidence reposed in him. For this
purpose no discussion should be carried on in
the presence of the patient or his
representatives.
3.Consultant not to take charge of the case:
When a specialist Dental Surgeon has been
called for consultation, the Consultant should
normally not take charge of the case, especially
on the solicitation of the patient or friends.The
Vol. 15
No. 1
Jan-April 2019