National Dental Commission clarifies scope of ethical practice for registered dental practitioners
New Delhi: The Ethics and Dental Registration Board of the National Dental Commission (NDC) has issued an advisory clarifying the domain of ethical professional practice for registered dental practitioners.
The move comes after the commission observed that a number of registered dental practitioners had approached it seeking clarification regarding the permissible domain and scope of their professional practice, which is a matter concerning the professional and ethical boundaries of dental practice across the country.
In a communication dated June 29, 2026, Tapas Kumar Bandyopadhyay, Member of the Ethics and Dental Registration Board, stated, “In this context, it is hereby clarified that the professional ambit of a dental practitioner is fundamentally guided by the academic and clinical training undergone during their professional degree programs.”
“The syllabi and curriculum of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) and Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) courses, as prescribed by the erstwhile Dental Council of India and currently in vogue, clearly define the competencies, procedures, and specialized domains for general and specialized dental practitioners,” it further added.
The commission clarified that accordingly, all registered dental practitioners are legally and ethically entitled to carry out clinical practices strictly within the prescribed domain of their specific qualification and specialized professional boundaries. Adhering to these defined boundaries is paramount to ensure patient safety, high clinical standards, and the delivery of the highest quality of oral health care to patients and society at large.
“In view of the above, all State Dental Councils and Tribunals are requested to issue necessary advisories, public notices, or guidelines to all registered dental professionals within their respective jurisdictions to align their clinical services in accordance with their formal training and qualifications to avoid any ethical or regulatory non-compliance. Your prompt action in disseminating this information will greatly contribute to reinforcing ethical standards within the dental fraternity,” the commission added.
A few days ago, NDC issued an advisory cautioning registered dentists against unethical social media promotion and advertising, warning that established violations may attract disciplinary action, including suspension or removal from dental registers.
