Dental Board recognise practitioners’ role protecting public on international day

20 Mar 2019

As part of the World Oral Health Day, the Dental Board of Australia (the Board) is recognising the important role dental practitioners play protecting the public through the delivery of safe care.

This year, World Oral Health Day 2019 is asking patients to act to protect their oral health. Dental practitioners also have a big role to play in helping patients be protected and receive the care they need.

There are 23,278 registered dental practitioners in Australia including, dentists, dental hygienists, dental prosthetists, dental therapists and oral health therapists, who all work together to deliver safe and quality care to patients.

Patients expect that every time they see a dental practitioner that their practitioner will act professionally and will be maintaining obligations under the National Law. This means the consumer can be safe in the knowledge that the practitioner will put their patient’s best interests first.

The Board thanks those dental practitioners who are doing the right thing by meeting their regulatory obligations by providing good care.

Board Chair Murray Thomas sees this international awareness day as an opportunity to remind dental practitioners about their obligations which are laid out in the Board’s Code of conduct, policies and guidelines.

‘We want to encourage practitioners to help make a real difference to the safe care of patients by encouraging them know their obligations. Dental practitioners can act by discussing the Board’s Code and supporting policies and guidelines. They should understand what is expected of them and discuss this with their colleagues in the dental community. Together we can improve how practitioners deliver care to patients.’

‘Practitioners should pay particular attention to their obligations around advertising. This is an area where they need to get the requirements right to make sure the public is protected. When practitioners promote their services the messages they send can be very influential for patient care, especially when it comes to patients making an informed choice. Practitioners need to act professionally and responsibility when advertising their services, including when using social media.’

Visit the Board’s website for registration standards, codes and guidelines for dental practitioners or the AHPRA website for resources to help practitioners with their advertising obligations.

For more information

• Watch the video on the Board’s ‘An overview of your obligations as a registered dental practitioner.’
• Lodge an online enquiry form.
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 3 9275 9009 (overseas callers).
• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200.