In an effort to curb unethical practices in the dental health sector, the Andhra Pradesh State Dental Council (APSDC), the regulatory body of dentists in the State, has issued notices to as many as 192 dental practitioners.
The notices were issued for a host of violations including advertisements, appointment of non-qualified personnel at dental clinics and soliciting patients through unethical means.
Acting on complaints, the regulatory body has asked dentists heading clinics to take measures against violations. The nature of violations include advertising on television, staffing non-qualified personnel, claims of miracle treatment, displaying unrecognised educational qualifications, unrealistic claims and boasting hi-tech medical equipment.
The APSDC also claimed that several of the 192 dental facilities have either promised or have taken measures to rectify violations.
“We take strict action against dentists who do not rectify violations. In fact, we recently removed Partha Dental Care from our dentists’ registry for repeated violations. As a regulatory body, we take such measures in the interests of the public and the profession,” said APSDC president K. Mahendranadh Reddy.
Dr. Reddy also revealed that the government had stayed the regulatory body’s decision to remove Partha Dental Care from the registry.
“We have requested the government to reconsider. Being a professional body, the dental council should be given freedom to take action against violators based on the code of ethics under the Dentists Act of 1948,” he added.
The APSDC has requested the public with grievances to approach it by visiting www.apstatedentalcouncil.com.
