Section 4 in The Dentists (Code of Ethics) Regulations, 1976
4. Duties and obligation of dentists towards patients and public.
- Every dentist shall -(a)be mindful of the high character of his omission and the responsibilities he holds in the discharge of his professional duties and shall always remember that care of the patient and treatment of the disease depends upon the skill and prompt attention shown by him and always remember that his personal reputation, professional ability and fidelity remain his best recommendations ;(b)treat the welfare of the patient as paramount to all other considerations and shall conserve it to the utmost of his ability ;(c)be courteous, sympathetic, friendly and helpful and to, and always ready to respond to, the call of his patients, and that under all conditions his behaviour towards his patients and the public shall be polite and dignified ;(d)observe punctuality in fulfilling his appointment ;(e)deem it a point of honour to adhere with as much uniformity as the varying circumstances may admit, to the remuneration for professional services ;(f)not permit consideration of religion, race, caste and creed, party politics or social standing to intervene in his duties towards his patient ;(g)keep all the information of a personal nature which he comes to know about a patient directly or indirectly in the course of professional practice in utmost confidence ; and be mindful that the auxiliary staff viz., dental hygienists and dental mechanics and other staff employed by him also observe this rule for the reason that knowledge or information of a patient gained during the course of examination and treatment is privileged, and a dentist is not bound to disclose professional secrets, except with the consent of the patient , or on being ordered to do so by a court or law.
