Advertising Regulations
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Quick Tips for the Dental Office
Advertising Regulations
Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry ( SBOD ) regulations permit advertising to provide the public with sufficient information to make an informed selection of a dentist . Advertisements include :
• signs ,
• letterhead ,
• business cards and
• printed or broadcast announcements of services offered to the public .
An advertisement in any medium must contain the name of at least one dentist whose services are being advertised . Any dentist whose name appears in the advertisement assumes responsibility for the advertisement , and they must use the name that appears on their current biennial renewal certificate .
If a dentist chooses to advertise under a fictitious name , which is a name other than the name that appears on the dentist ’ s current biennial renewal certificate , they must comply with the regulations regarding fictious names . Those regulations are listed in § 33.202 : https :// www . pacodeandbulletin . gov / Display / pacode ? file =/ secure / pacode / data / 049 / chapter33 / s33.202 . html & d = reduce .
If a print or broadcast advertisement contains information regarding fees for services offered , or free services , the dentist must honor the advertised fee for at least 60 days from the final publication or broadcast of the advertisement , unless the advertisement specifically stated that the advertised fees would be available for a shorter time period . If the patient accepts a treatment plan for those services within the 60 days , or the period of time stated in the advertisement , the advertised fee must be honored even if services are rendered later .
If a minimum fee is advertised , the advertisement must clearly disclose that the advertised fee is the minimum fee charged , and the actual fee may vary depending on the complexity involved in treatment . Print advertisements must include this disclosure in text that is at least equal to the fee information in size , legibility and length . For broadcast advertisements , this disclosure must be at least equal to fee information in volume , quality and duration .
A recorded copy of broadcast advertisements must be retained for at least one year following the final broadcast .
2024