1. The Dental Council of Mauritius notes with concern that certain dental practitioners are resorting to self-advertisement or publicity via different platforms of social media such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.
2. Such practices are contrary to provisions made in the Code of Practice of the Dental Council Act. The relevant paragraphs of Part II of the Code of Practice are reproduced below for the information of all concerned:-
Paragraph 20
(1) A registered person shall not advertise his professional services.
(2) Notwithstanding subparagraph (1), a registered person may:
- notify other registered persons, or his patients of any change of address, dissolution, or commencement of his practice
- publish in a telephone directory in ordinary characters his –
(i) name, qualification(s), the place and country of such qualification(s), his speciality if any, his home address and the address(es) of his surgery; and
(ii) telephone number(s)
(3) Nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit a registered person who is acting in the course of his official duties pertaining to his office or post from giving an interview or publishing an article in the lay media on matters of concern to his office or post.
(4) Notwithstanding subparagraph (1), registered persons may keep their professional and managerial colleagues informed of the services they offer and of the practice arrangements, provided that the materials circulated in this way should not disparage, directly or by implication, the services provided by other registered persons nor should it claim superiority for the dental surgeons or dental specialists personal qualities, qualifications, experience or skills.
Paragraph 25
(1) A registered person shall not, whether by way of publication of any article or any personal photograph or otherwise, indulge in any form of self-advertisement or publicity.
(2) In particular, he shall not –
- publish or cause to be published, in the lay media or any other means of communication device, articles likely to have the effect set out in subparagraph (3) (a) and (b);
- give to journalists of the lay media or any other means of communication device, interviews likely to have the effect set out in subparagraph (3) (a) and (b);
- allow the publication in the lay media or any other means of communication device, of his cases, operations, treatment, cures, or remedies.
(3) For the purposes of subparagraph (1) a registered person shall not be taken to have indulged in self-advertisement or publicity unless –
(a) he has invited attention to his professional position, skill, qualification, or achievements.
(b) the information in the advertisement or publicity furthers the professional interests of a registered person concerned or appears to attract patients to his care.
(4) For the purposes of this paragraph publication includes –
(a) any newspaper, book, periodical, pamphlet, or other printed matter;
(b) any writing or typescript which has in any manner been duplicated or exhibited or made available to the public or any section of the public.
Paragraph 26
In any interaction a registered person shall have with the lay media, it is the responsibility of the registered person to ensure the observation of paragraph 20 of this Code of Practice regarding publicity and advertisement.
Paragraph 27
(1) The following practices are not regarded as forms of self-advertisement and publicity –
(a) an announcement not exceeding 90mm by 70mm in the press appearing for not more than three days, upon –
(i) starting or resuming practice;
(ii) changing type of practice;
(iii) changing address or telephone number;
(iv) temporary absence or resumption of duty.
All dental practitioners are advised to ensure compliance with the Code of Practice including those reproduced above during their daily dental practice.
REGISTRAR
Dental Council of Mauritius
