S.L. 464.17 Art. 26Dental treatment.

(1) When a practitioner has reason to believe that a patient is suffering from a condition arising from, or in connection with, dental treatment, it is the duty of the practitioner concerned to recommend to the patient to permit him to communicate with a dental practitioner.

(2) In those cases where the patient refuses this proposal, the practitioner may give such treatment as may be necessary to deal with the emergency condition.

(3) The practitioner shall not refer the patient to a second dental practitioner unless he obtains from the patient permission to disclose this fact to the first dental practitioner.

(4) (a) In those cases where a patient is not being followed by a dental practitioner, it is acceptable, following the specific request of the patient, for the medical practitioner to indicate the name of a dental practitioner without indicating the treatment which he considers should be given by the dental practitioner.

(b) The medical practitioner may, with the permission of the patient, communicate with the dental practitioner and if the medical practitioner requires a further medical or dental opinion, a pathological or radiological report from a third party, or a reference to a hospital, he shall inform the dental practitioner concerned of the proposed action and of the subsequent outcome.

(5) When treating a patient, a dental practitioner may select an anaesthetist to ssist him, but if the anaesthetist is not the patient’s own medical practitioner no objection should be made to the patient inviting his own medical practitioner to be present. Where the patient is under medical care the dental practitioner may be expected to inform the patient’s medical practitioner of any proposed operation requiring an anaesthetic. SCHEDULE A

(Regulation 22)

ETHICS OF MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS The Medical profession occupies a position of trust in society. A doctor’s calling is to serve humanity under all conditions. Members of profession have built up a tradition of placing the needs of the patient above all else.

On admission to the medical field every new member not only succeeds benefit of its special place in society, but also takes upon himself the duty of maintaining this high position. The justification for the freedom medicine lies in the hands of those who practise it. matters bearing on faith or morals the catholic member of the shall abide by the tenets of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Religion in 2 of the Constitution.

attention of members of the medical profession is drawn to the General by the Medical Council for the guidance of members of the upon which it exercises disciplinary jurisdiction. addition to the requirements of the Medical Council, there are customs rules which are observed by the profession as a code of conduct. The of situations that might and do arise in the course of professional life specifically covered by any set of rules. The following rulings are covering the major and the more common features of professional life to illustrate the principles of behaviour. These principles can and applied to such other problems and situations as may arise.

doctor shall by his conduct and in all matters set a high standard. doctor in the pursuit of his profession must not allow himself to be motives of profit. doctor shall neither instigate nor condone any advertisement relating to professional status of work. (Also see circular MC/435/93 of 1.10.1993 relating publication of announcements about career and academic achievements.)

doctor shall not accept conditions of service which do not ensure his independence. (Also see circular MC/145/93 of 22.2.1993 on professional independence.) doctor shall not in any circumstances do, authorise to be done or condone would weaken the physical or mental resistance of a human being, prevention and treatment of disease. doctor must always bear in mind the importance of preserving human life of conception until death. doctor shall not hesitate to propose or to accept consultation with a professional colleague when, for any reason, this appears to be desirable the interest of the patient. The attendance of a consulting practitioner shall cease when the consultation is concluded, unless another appointment is arranged by the medical attendant. When a consultant sees a patient in his rooms at the request of his medical attendant, it is his duty to write to the latter stating on the case and the mode of treatment which he thinks adopted.

(c) Whenever an irreconcilable difference of opinion between occurs, the circumstances should be frankly and impartially to the patient or his relatives either by the consultant or attendant in the presence of the former.

(d) When it becomes the duty of a practitioner occupying position to see and report on a case of illness or injury, communicate with the patient and inform him that he is his practitioner to be present during the examination. The who is officially reviewing the case shall scrupulously interference with, or remarks on, the treatment or diagnosis been adopted. (Also see circulars MC/145/93 of 22.3.1993 99 of October 1999 on clarifying the procedure to be such visits.)