Policy

1) Have your first appointment as a getting acquainted visit. Have a chat, discuss your problems and observe the dentist, the clinic and the staff to see whether your expectations, personalities and health care philosophies match. Once a level of confidence and trust is achieved, proceed further.

QUALIFICATION MATTERS

2) Dentistry is a licensed profession. Please verify that your dentist holds license in the form of a registration number from the Karnataka State Dental Council or any other Indian State Dental Council.

3) Verify that your dentist holds as a minimum, a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) Degree from an Indian University/Dental College accredited by the Dental Council of India after 4+1 years of training.

4) Verify that your dentist has a license/registration certificate which has been renewed for the current year. The Karnataka State Dental Council renews the registration certificate every year, with a validity period of one year, from January to December of each year.

5) Be wary of the number of “fake” dentists (or quacks) practicing in India – both in metropolitan cities, townships and rural areas. They do not have any qualifications or registration.  Be cautious of Quacks.

CONTINUING EDUCATION IN DENTISTRY (CDE)

6) Dentistry is an ever changing profession, with newer techniques and materials being developed every day. The more updated your dentist is, the most modern, evidence-based treatment he/she can deliver. Verify if your dentist has engaged in continuing education in dentistry on a regular level, since graduation.

7) Dental Continuing Education (CDE) is a life long process and involves all or some of the following on a regular basis, every year since graduation:

Participation in Dental Conferences/Seminars

Participation in CE courses in Dentistry (online OR in person)

Participation in Dental Lectures

Subscription of publications related to Dentistry

Authoring or Co-authoring of published literature in Dentistry

Memberships in Dental CE groups/ societies/discussion forums/e-mail servers

Participation in Hands-on-Courses in Dentistry

Recent Post-Graduate Degrees/Diplomas/Certificate in Dentistry from accredited Indian or Overseas Dental Schools.

CLEANLINESS / STERILIZATION PROTOCOL

8) Check if your dentist is fully aware of modern sterilization methods to prevent cross-infection.

9) Keep an eye on the over-all cleanliness of the office.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

10) Observe if you have privacy for your treatment, case discussion and health status disclosures.

11) Confirm if confidentiality will be maintained in terms of your treatment records and health status disclosures.

12) Confirm if your approval is being sought or your concerns addressed, prior to taking your pictures for purposes other than case record.

13) Observe the overall conduct of the dentist and the staff in their interaction with you and their other patients – are they courteous, friendly and respectful.

14) Your time and the dentist’s time are important. Note if the dental team encourages and adheres to given appointment schedules.

15) Note if you have been explained about your problems and their recommended treatments in a manner you can comprehend and give informed consent.

16) Note if the treatment charges, financial obligations, mode of payment etc., are explained to you before the treatment was started.

17) Cost of dental treatment is not the best judge of quality of care.

18)  Good dentistry is an art and a science. Pay attention to the time your dentist takes to do the work. High-quality dentistry cannot be done in a factory assembly-line; it takes time and meticulous attention to detail.

19) Quality oriented dentists, genuinely interested in the health of their patients, emphasis a regular recall and maintenance. Patient treatment records are maintained and the patients are put on a recall programme after the treatment is completed.

1. You have the right to considerate, compassionate and respectful care.

2. You have the right to current information on all your dental health problems concerning diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and estimated treatment costs in a language you can understand and comprehend enough to give informed consent prior to the treatment.

3. If this information cannot be given to you owing to your age, condition or otherwise, you have the right to have such information provided to a guardian/care-giver or an appropriate person on your behalf.

4. You have the right to refuse treatment for any reason, after you have been informed of the possible consequences of this decision.

5. You have the right to privacy and confidentiality. All case discussions, examinations, and treatment records will be held confidential except when appropriate consent is given.

6. You have the right to expect that the dental care treatment given to you meets the standards of care of the profession.

7. You have the right to expect prompt and continuing care.

8. You have the right to emergency dental care as needed.

9. You have the right to receive an itemized total bill of dental treatments delivered to you.

10. You have the right to information on our sterilization protocol and academic credentials.

11. You have the right to seek a second opinion.

(*adapted and modified from The Univ. of Pittsburg, USA)

1. It is your responsibility to provide us, to the best of your knowledge, with accurate and complete information about all your present, as well as pre-existing dental and medical complaints, including history of past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications etc, and other matters pertaining to your health. Please also report unexpected changes in your condition.

2. It is your responsibility to make it known to us whether you clearly understand the course of treatment planned for you and what is expected of you.

3. It is your responsibility to follow the recommended instructions given by us, including follow-up treatment instructions.

4. You are responsible for your actions if you choose to refuse treatment or do not follow the instructions given by us.

5. You are responsible for keeping your dental appointments, and when unable to do so for any reason, to notify us in advance.

6. You (or the legally responsible party/person) are responsible for fulfilling the financial obligations in terms of payments towards dental services rendered, as promptly as possible.

7. You are responsible for being respectful, compassionate and considerate of the rights of other persons including the doctors, staff and other patients.

8. You should expect us to provide only those services that we determine to be appropriate.

(*adapted and modified from The Univ. of Pittsburg, USA)

Please note that there are certain potential risks with ANY dental procedure, these are not probable results but statistical possibilities (read below).

1. DRUGS, MEDICATIONS & MIS-INFORMATION

Medications may be required and can cause allergic reactions. Please disclose all pre-existing allergies and diseases to the dentist. Any complications arising out of mis-information of any pre-existing allergies, diseases or conditions are your own responsibility.

2. CHANGES IN TREATMENT PLAN

During treatment it may be necessary to change or add procedures because of conditions found while working on the teeth that were not discovered during examination, the most common being root canal therapy following routine restorative (fillings, crowns, bridges, gum surgery) procedures. The additional cost of these is your responsibility.

3. REMOVAL OF TEETH

Alternatives to tooth extraction may include RCT, crowns, and gum surgery, etc. Removing teeth does not always remove all the infection, and it may be necessary to have further treatment. There are risks involved in having teeth removed, some of which and not limited to, are pain, swelling, infection, dry socket, numbness in the teeth, lips, tongue etc. (paresthesia) which can last for days or months, or fractured jaw/teeth/restorations. You may need further treatment by a specialist or even hospitalization if complications arise during or following treatment, the cost of which is your responsibility.

4. CROWN, BRIDGES, AND CAPS

Sometimes it is not possible to match the colour of natural teeth exactly with artificial teeth.  Temporary crowns may come off easily, please ensure that they are kept on till final crowns are cemented. The final opportunity to make changes in your new crown, bridge, or cap (including shape, fit, size, and colour) will be before cementation.

5. DENTURES, COMPLETE OR PARTIAL

Full or partial dentures are artificial, constructed of plastic, metal, and/or porcelain. The problems of wearing these include looseness, soreness, and possible breakage. Some patients are extra sensitive and may have problems wearing dentures altogether. The final opportunity to make changes in your new dentures (including shape, fit, size, placement, and colour) will be the “teeth in wax” try-in visit. Most dentures do normally require relining months after initial placement. The cost for this procedure is not included in the initial denture fabrication/insertion fee.

6. ENDODONTIC TREATMENT (ROOT CANAL TREATMENT – RCT) & POST/CORE

The purpose of this procedure is to retain teeth that may otherwise have to be extracted. RCT has a very high success rate, but there is no guarantee that it will save your tooth.   Complications can occur during/from the treatment, including but not limited to calcification, unique curvature, perforation, fracture, tooth/instrument breakage, infection, which may require additional treatment(s), like extraction, re-treatment, apicectomy, etc. Once treatment is begun, it is absolutely necessary that RCT must be completed. It may involve one or several appointments.

7. PERIODONTAL LOSS (TISSUE & BONE) / PYORRHOEA

This condition causing gum and bone infection can lead to tooth loss. Alternative treatment plans include gum surgery, replacements and/or extractions. Any additional dental procedures may have a future adverse effect on your periodontal condition.

8. NO TREATMENT, INCOMPLETE TREATMENT

You have been explained all treatment options including the option of no treatment. The consequences of no treatment or partial/incomplete treatment have also been explained to you.   Any complications, dental or medical, arising out of no treatment, complete/partial dental treatments are your own responsibility.

9. CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL

Natural calamities, political uncertainties, prolonged electricity failures or any other circumstances beyond our control, before or during your dental treatment may delay or hamper the scheduled treatment protocol. Any delay arising out of non-delivery/incomplete/partial delivery of your scheduled dental care for reasons beyond our control is your own responsibility.