As a professional institution dedicated to HKDLE training and practice guidance, Zency Education is committed to helping mainland dental professionals break information barriers and smoothly adapt to Hong Kong’s healthcare system. The Dental Council of Hong Kong (DCHK) recently released the latest Code of Professional Conduct. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the core requirements and key differences between Mainland China and Hong Kong.
I. Practicing Qualifications and Core Compliance
- Registration & Mandatory Insurance: Dentists must be legally registered and are strongly advised to hold Professional Indemnity Insurance to manage practice risks.
- Strict Drug Labeling: Under Section 13, all prescribed medicines dispensed directly or indirectly to patients must carry explicit labels indicating patient name, dispensing date, drug name, dosage, administration, and precautions.
- Record Keeping & Privacy: Accurate patient records must be kept for at least six years from the last date of treatment. Dentists must strictly abide by the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance.
- Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting: Under the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance (Cap. 650), dentists as specified professionals must report suspected serious child abuse cases to the authorities; failure to report constitutes an offense.
II. Informed Consent and Patient Communication
- Consent Categorization: Implied or oral consent is acceptable for minor, non-invasive procedures. However, explicit, specific written consent is mandatory for major treatments, invasive procedures, or high-risk treatments.
- Risk Disclosure Standards: Explanation must be clear and plain. Dentists must disclose both significant risks and low-probability risks that could result in severe outcomes.
- Minors and Patients Lacking Capacity: Patients under 18 require parental/guardian consent unless they fully understand the proposed treatment. If parents refuse essential life-saving care, legal intervention or court orders may be sought.
III. Information Dissemination and Promotional Bans (Key Differences)
Promotional activities are strictly regulated in Hong Kong compared to mainland China:
- Strict Prohibition of Solicitation: Dentists must not directly or indirectly solicit patients through uninvited visits, calls, or card distributions. Partnering with agencies that advertise and refer patients is treated as improper canvassing.
- Signboard & Stationery Rules: Signboard dimensions, display locations, and lighting are strictly restricted by law. Stationery can only display approved qualifications, titles, and basic practice information without commercial promotions.
- No Comparison or Exaggeration: Information must be objective and verifiable. Comparisons with peers, superior claims, testimonial statements, guarantees of cure, or sensational language are strictly forbidden.
- Website Restrictions: Practice websites must not use banner ads, patient testimonials, before-and-after clinical photos/videos, or interactive message boards. Priority search rankings through paid advertisements are also barred.
IV. Commercial Ethics and Boundaries
- No Rebates or Referral Fees: Dentists must not pay or receive commissions, rebates, or fees for patient referrals.
- Managing Financial Conflicts: Any financial or commercial interest in pharmaceutical or biomedical entities must not influence prescription or referral decisions. Interests must be declared before recommending commercial goods or services.
- No Covering or Improper Delegation: Registered dentists must not assist or cover unregistered persons practicing dentistry, nor improperly delegate professional duties to non-dentists.