National Dental Commission mandates nine details for dental prescriptions
New Delhi: The National Dental Commission (NDC), through its Ethics and Dental Registration Board (EDRB), issued an advisory on October 23, 2026, directing practising dentists across India to include nine mandatory details in their prescriptions.
The advisory aims to standardise prescription practices, improve documentation and ensure patient safety when prescribing medicines during dental treatment.
According to the advisory, “All practising dentists are hereby directed to ensure that every prescription, whether issued in paper or electronic form, contains the following particulars: i) Name of the Dentist: As recorded with the concerned State Dental Council. ii. Active Registration Number: As allotted by the concerned State Dental Council. iii. Recognised Dental Qualification(s): As recognised by the National Dental Commission/ erstwhile Dental Council of India, including specialty, if applicable. iv. Address of Practice: Complete postal address of the dentist's clinic or place of practice, including PIN code. V. Emergency Contact Number: A functional contact number for urgent communication. vi. Patient's relevant particulars, viz. Name, Age, Gender. vii. Date of Prescription during each attendance. viii. Dentist's Signature: Handwritten or legally valid digital signature, as applicable. ix. Mandatory Stamping Requirement: In cases where the dentist's particulars, namely the dentist's name, recognised dental qualification(s), and valid registration number, are not pre-printed on the prescription, the prescription must bear the stamp of the treating dentist containing all the aforesaid particulars. The stamp shall be affixed clearly and legibly to ensure proper identification of the prescribing dentist."
The advisory was signed by Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Tapąs Kumar Bandyopadhyay, Member, Ethics and Dental Registration Board (EDRB), National Dental Commission, and stated that all practising dentists shall review and update their prescription pads, letterheads, and electronic prescription templates to ensure compliance with these requirements.
The advisory also advises all practising dentists not to use prescription pads supplied, printed, or sponsored by pharmaceutical companies for issuing prescriptions.
Furthermore, dentists shall ensure that prescriptions are issued only on prescription pads or letterheads that comply with the requirements specified in this Public Notice.
The advisory further stated, “All State Dental Councils, dental institutions, hospitals, clinics, and other concerned establishments are requested to circulate this directive among practising dentists and facilitate compliance.
''The circular is issued in the interest of professional accountability, transparency, and patient safety,” the advisory added.
