On 25/05/2013,
you requested for the version in force on 25/05/2013
incorporating all amendments published on or before 25/05/2013.
The closest version currently available is that of 20/04/2011.
PART III
DENTAL REGISTERS
12.
—(1) For the purposes of this Act, there shall be a Registrar of the Council.
[22/2007]
(1A) The Chief Dental Officer shall be the Registrar of the Council.
[22/2007]
(2) The Minister may appoint a person to act as Registrar during the absence from Singapore or incapacity from illness or otherwise of the Registrar.
13.
—(1) The Registrar shall maintain and keep the following registers:
(a)
a register to be called the “Register of Dentists” containing —
(i)
in the first division of the register —
(A)
under Part I, the names of persons registered as fully registered dentists under section 14(1) and (2);
(B)
under Part II, the names of persons registered as dentists with conditional registration under section 14A(1); and
(C)
all the particulars which are transferred to or entered in that division under section 40(6)(a) of the Dentists (Amendment) Act 2007 (Act 22 of 2007); and
(ii)
in the second division of the register, all the names, addresses, qualifications and other particulars which are transferred to or entered in that division under section 40(6)(b) of the Dentists (Amendment) Act 2007;
(b)
a register to be called the “Register of Temporarily Registered Dentists” containing —
(i)
the names of persons registered temporarily as dentists under section 14B(1); and
(ii)
all the names, addresses, qualifications and other particulars which are transferred to or entered in the first division of the register under section 40(6)(c) of the Dentists (Amendment) Act 2007 (Act 22 of 2007);
(c)
a register to be called the “Register of Specialists” containing the names of persons registered as specialists under section 14C(1); and
(d)
a register to be called the “Register of Oral Health Therapists” containing —
(i)
under Part I, the names of persons registered as oral health therapists under section 21A(1); and
(ii)
under Part II, the names of persons registered as oral health therapists under section 21A(2).
[22/2007]
(2) Each register shall contain —
(a)
the names and addresses of the persons registered;
(b)
the dates of the registration of the persons;
(c)
the qualifications by virtue of which the persons are so registered; and
(d)
such other particulars as the Council may determine for that register.
[22/2007]
(3) The Registrar shall —
(a)
be responsible for the maintenance and custody of the registers; and
(b)
publish on the Council’s Internet website a list of the names, addresses, qualifications and dates of qualification of all dentists and oral health therapists who —
(i)
are registered under this Act; and
(ii)
have in force practising certificates.
[22/2007]
(4) Every person whose name is entered in any of the registers shall inform the Registrar in writing of any change in his practice address or residential address within 28 days thereof, except that a person who makes a report of a change in his residential address under section 8 of the National Registration Act (Cap. 201) shall be deemed to have complied with this subsection on the date on which he makes the report.
[22/2007]
(5) The Registrar may disclose any information in the registers to any person prescribed by regulations made under this Act, if such disclosure is in accordance with such conditions as may be specified in those regulations.
[22/2007]
(6) Subsection (5) is without prejudice to any other right or duty to disclose the information under general or written law.
[22/2007]
(7) Any person who fails to comply with subsection (4) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000.
[22/2007]
14.
—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, any person who holds a Singapore degree shall be entitled to be registered as a fully registered dentist.
[22/2007]
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a person, not being a Singapore degree holder, who holds such qualifications as may be recognised by the Council, and satisfies the Council that he has special knowledge and skill and sufficient experience in any particular branch of dentistry shall, if the Council thinks fit so to direct, be registered as a fully registered dentist.
[22/2007]
(3) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), the Council may, if it is of the view that it is not in the public interest for a person referred to in either of those subsections to be registered as a fully registered dentist, direct that he be registered as a dentist with conditional registration in the Register of Dentists, and section 14A(3) to (7) shall apply accordingly.
[22/2007]
14A.
—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, any person who —
(a)
holds a degree from a university specified in the Schedule or any other degree which is, in the opinion of the Council, not lower in standing than a degree specified in that Schedule;
(b)
has been selected for employment in Singapore as a dentist in any hospital or other institution or dental practice approved by the Council; and
(c)
satisfies the Council that he has the knowledge and skill and has acquired the experience which is necessary for practice as a dentist,
shall, if the Council thinks fit so to direct, be registered as a dentist with conditional registration in the Register of Dentists.
[22/2007]
(2) The Council may require a person with a degree, other than a degree specified in the Schedule, to undergo and pass an examination conducted or arranged by the Council or by such other person as the Council may appoint to satisfy itself that the degree is not lower in standing than a degree specified in the Schedule.
[22/2007]
(3) The conditions of a person’s registration under this section shall be specified in the direction by virtue of which he is registered.
[22/2007]
(4) Without prejudice to the power of the Council to impose conditions, the direction may specify —
(a)
that the person shall work for a specified period under the supervision of a fully registered dentist approved by the Council; and
(b)
the particular employment or the descriptions of employment for the purposes of which he is registered under this section.
[22/2007]
(5) The Council may cancel the conditional registration of a dentist if —
(a)
the dentist has contravened any condition specified in the direction by virtue of which he is registered; or
(b)
the Council is of the opinion, having regard to the report of the dentist supervising him, if any, that he is unable to perform the duties of a dentist satisfactorily.
[22/2007]
(6) A person who is or has been registered with conditional registration may, after the expiration of the period of supervision specified under subsection (4)(a), apply to the Council to be registered as a fully registered dentist.
[22/2007]
(7) If the Council thinks fit so to direct, having regard to the knowledge and skill shown and the experience acquired by the applicant, he shall be registered under section 14(1) as a fully registered dentist.
[22/2007]
(8) On a dentist with conditional registration becoming registered otherwise than conditionally or on his registration being cancelled under subsection (5), his name shall be removed from Part II of the Register of Dentists.
[22/2007]
14B.
—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, any person who has a degree other than a Singapore degree and —
(a)
who is in Singapore for the purpose of teaching, research or postgraduate study in dentistry under such training scheme as may be approved by the Council for that purpose;
(b)
who possesses dental knowledge, experience and skill which the Council considers to be of international standing or are such as to have special value to the people of Singapore; or
(c)
who is not otherwise entitled to be registered as a dentist under this Act but who, in the opinion of the Council, possesses other qualifications which are adequate for the purposes of registration under this Act,
may be registered temporarily in such dental capacity and for such period as the Council may specify.
[22/2007]
(2) Any registration under subsection (1) shall be for a period not exceeding 3 years which may be renewed, at the discretion of the Council, for such further period as the Council thinks fit.
[22/2007]
(3) A person may be registered under subsection (1) subject to such conditions and restrictions as the Council may impose.
[22/2007]
14C.
—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, any person who —
(a)
holds such postgraduate degrees or qualifications;
(b)
has gained such special knowledge of and skill and experience in any particular branch of dentistry; or
(c)
has both such postgraduate degrees or qualifications and experience,
as the Council may approve, may apply to the Council to be registered as a specialist in that branch of dentistry.
[22/2007]
(1A) A person may be registered under subsection (1) subject to such conditions or restrictions as the Council may impose.
[1/2010 wef 01/12/2010]
(2) The Council shall not register any person under subsection (1) as a specialist unless the person has obtained a certificate from the Dental Specialists Accreditation Board under section 32B.
[22/2007]
(3) The Council may, with the approval of the Minister, make regulations for any or all of the following purposes:
(a)
providing for the registration of specialists in any branch of dentistry;
(b)
regulating the recording in, removal from and restoration to the Register of Specialists of the names, particulars and qualifications of persons so registered;
(c)
providing for appeals by dentists against any refusal of the Council to register them in the Register of Specialists or to restore their names to that Register or against any decision of the Council to remove their names from that Register;
(d)
prescribing the fees payable in respect of —
(i)
any application for registration as a specialist;
(ii)
any such registration as a specialist;
(iii)
any restoration of names to the Register of Specialists; and
(iv)
any appeal.
[22/2007]
15.
—(1) Every application for registration shall be made in such form, and shall be accompanied by such documents, photographs, particulars and fees, as may be prescribed by the Council.
(2) Before registering an applicant, the Council may require the applicant to submit himself to a medical examination by a medical practitioner approved by the Council to determine if the applicant is fit to practise dentistry.
(3) The medical examination shall be at the applicant’s own expense.
(4) Subject to subsection (5), where a person has complied with subsection (1) and any requirement of the Council referred to in subsection (2), the Council shall register him as a dentist.
(5) The Council may refuse to register any applicant who, in the opinion of the Council —
(a)
(b)
is not of good reputation and character;
(c)
has had his registration as a dentist in any other country withdrawn, suspended or cancelled; or
(d)
is unfit to practise dentistry by reason of his physical or mental condition.
[22/2007]
(6) Where the Council refuses to register an applicant, the Council shall by notice in writing inform the applicant of such refusal.
(7) Any person who is aggrieved by any refusal of the Council under subsection (5) may, within one month of the notice given under subsection (6), appeal to the Minister whose decision shall be final.
(8) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Council may prescribe different fees for different classes of applicants.
16. Where a person has been registered as a dentist, the Council shall issue to him a certificate of registration, and the Council may require that there be affixed to the certificate a photograph of that person or such other evidence of identity as the Council may direct.
17.
—(1) Any registered dentist who desires to obtain a practising certificate shall apply to the Council in such form and manner as the Council may prescribe.
(2) The application shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee.
(3) A practising certificate shall be granted for a period not exceeding 2 years from the date of issue of the practising certificate.
(4) Any application for renewal of a practising certificate shall be made not later than one month before the expiration of the practising certificate and shall be made in such form as the Council may require.
(5) Any registered dentist who applies for a practising certificate later than one month before the expiration of the practising certificate shall be liable to pay to the Council such late application fee as may be prescribed by the Council.
(6) The Council may —
(a)
refuse to grant a practising certificate to a registered dentist; or
(b)
refuse to renew the practising certificate of a registered dentist,
if the registered dentist has contravened any condition that is imposed by the Council with the approval of the Minister for the purposes of this section.
[22/2007]
(7) (Deleted by Act 22 of 2007)
(8) Where a registered dentist has had his name removed from the appropriate register or his registration suspended under any provision of this Act, any practising certificate issued to him shall be deemed to be cancelled and the registered dentist shall immediately surrender the certificate to the Council.
[22/2007]
(9) Any person who fails to comply with subsection (8) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000.
(10) For the purposes of subsection (5), the Council may prescribe different late application fees for applications made before, and applications made after, the expiration of the practising certificates.
Publication of list of registered dentists with practising certificates
18. [Repealed by Act 22 of 2007]
19. A certificate purporting to be under the hand of the Registrar —
(a)
to the effect that at any time or during any period specified in the certificate any person was or was not a registered dentist, or had or did not have in force a practising certificate; or
(b)
as to any entry in the appropriate register, or the removal from the appropriate register of any entry,
shall, in the absence of proof to the contrary, and without further proof of the signature appended to the certificate, be sufficient evidence of the matters specified therein.
[22/2007]
20.
—(1) The Registrar shall —
(a)
insert in the appropriate register any alteration which may come to his knowledge in the name or address of any registered dentist;
(b)
correct any error in any entry in the appropriate register;
(c)
remove from the appropriate register the name of any person —
(i)
whose name is ordered to be removed under any provision of this Act; or
(ii)
who is deceased;
(d)
insert in the appropriate register any alteration in the qualifications or additional qualifications of a registered dentist; and
(e)
remove from the appropriate register the name of any person who has requested and shown sufficient reason for his name to be removed from that register, unless a complaint has been made, or an inquiry has, or investigations or proceedings have, commenced under Part V against that person.
[22/2007]
(2) The Registrar may remove from the appropriate register the name of any person who has not renewed his practising certificate for a continuous period of not less than 5 years.
[22/2007]
21.
—(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act, the Council may, upon such evidence as it may require, order the removal from the appropriate register of the name of a registered dentist under any of the following circumstances:
(a)
if he has contravened any condition or restriction imposed by the Council as regards his conditional registration under section 14A;
(b)
if he has contravened any condition or restriction imposed by the Council as regards his temporary registration under section 14B;
(c)
if he, being a registered dentist whose name is in the Register of Specialists —
(i)
has had his name removed from the first division of the Register of Dentists; or
(ii)
has contravened any condition or restriction imposed by the Council under section 14C;
(d)
if he, being a person to whom section 32 applies, has contravened any regulation made under that section;
(e)
if he has obtained his registration fraudulently or by any incorrect statement;
(f)
if his degree for registration under this Act has been withdrawn or cancelled by the authority through which it was acquired or by which it was awarded;
(g)
if he has had his registration as a dentist in any other country withdrawn, suspended or cancelled by the authority which registered him;
(h)
if he has failed to serve the Government or such other body or organisation as directed by the Government for such period as may be specified in any undertaking given by him to the Government.
[22/2007]
(2) The Council shall, before exercising its powers under subsection (1), notify the registered dentist concerned of its intention to take such action and shall give the registered dentist an opportunity to submit reasons, within such period as the Council may determine, why his name should not be removed.
(3) Any person aggrieved by an order under subsection (1) may, within 30 days of being notified of the order, appeal to the Minister whose decision shall be final.
21A.
—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the following persons may apply to the Council to be registered as an oral health therapist under Part I of the Register of Oral Health Therapists:
(a)
a person who —
(i)
holds a diploma in dental hygiene and therapy from the Nanyang Polytechnic or any other certificate or diploma which, in the opinion of the Council, is of an equivalent standard and that has been awarded for successfully completing a course of dental training extending over a period of not less than 3 years; and
(ii)
after being registered under Part II of the Register of Oral Health Therapists, has obtained at least 5 years of practical experience in the area of oral health therapy whilst under the supervision of a registered dentist whose name appears in the first division of the Register of Dentists; and
(b)
a person who —
(i)
holds —
(A)
a certificate of dental therapy from the Ministry of Health or the Board or any other certificate or diploma which, in the opinion of the Council, is of an equivalent standard and that has been awarded for successfully completing a course of dental training extending over a period of not less than 3 years; or
(B)
a qualification in dental hygiene that is approved by the Council;
(ii)
has sat for and passed such examinations as may be prescribed by the Council; and
(iii)
after being registered under Part II of the Register of Oral Health Therapists, has obtained at least 5 years of practical experience in the area of oral health therapy whilst under the supervision of a registered dentist whose name appears in the first division of the Register of Dentists.
[22/2007]
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the following persons may apply to the Council to be registered as an oral health therapist under Part II of the Register of Oral Health Therapists:
(a)
a person who holds a diploma in dental hygiene and therapy from the Nanyang Polytechnic or any other certificate or diploma which, in the opinion of the Council, is of an equivalent standard and that has been awarded for successfully completing a course of dental training extending over a period of not less than 3 years;
(b)
a person who holds a certificate of dental therapy from the Ministry of Health or the Board or any other certificate or diploma which, in the opinion of the Council, is of an equivalent standard and that has been awarded for successfully completing a course of dental training extending over a period of not less than 3 years; and
(c)
a person who holds a qualification in dental hygiene that is approved by the Council.
[22/2007]
(3) The registration of any person referred to in subsection (1) or (2) may be subject to such conditions as the Council may determine.
[22/2007]
(4) It is a condition of the registration of any person referred to in subsection (2) that he may only practise dentistry under the supervision of a registered dentist whose name appears in the first division of the Register of Dentists.
[22/2007]
(5) The Council may require any person referred to in subsection (2) to undergo and pass such examinations as may be prescribed by the Council to satisfy the Council that he has the knowledge and skill and has acquired the experience which is necessary for practice as a registered oral health therapist.
[22/2007]
(6) Subsection (4) shall not apply to —
(a)
any person who is in the public service or who is an officer of the Board practising dentistry in the course of his duties in the public service or as an officer of the Board; and
(b)
such other person as the Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, specify.
[22/2007]
21B.
—(1) Every application for registration as an oral health therapist shall be made in such form, and shall be accompanied by such document, photograph, particulars and fee, as may be prescribed by the Council.
[22/2007]
(2) Before registering an applicant, the Council may require the applicant to submit himself to a medical examination by a medical practitioner approved by the Council to determine if the applicant is fit to practise dentistry.
[22/2007]
(3) The medical examination shall be at the applicant’s own expense.
[22/2007]
(4) Subject to subsection (5), where a person has complied with subsection (1) and any requirement of the Council referred to in subsection (2), the Council shall register him as an oral health therapist.
[22/2007]
(5) The Council may refuse to register any applicant who —
(a)
has had his registration as an oral health therapist in any other country withdrawn, suspended or cancelled; or
(b)
in the opinion of the Council —
(i)
is not a person entitled to be registered as an oral health therapist under section 21A;
(ii)
is not of good reputation and character; or
(iii)
is unfit to practise dentistry by reason of his physical or mental condition.
[22/2007]
(6) Where the Council refuses to register an applicant, the Council shall by notice in writing inform the applicant of the refusal.
[22/2007]
(7) Any person who is aggrieved by any refusal of the Council under subsection (5) may, within one month of the notice given under subsection (6), appeal to the Minister whose decision shall be final.
[22/2007]
(8) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Council may prescribe different fees for different classes of applicants.
[22/2007]
21C.
—(1) The Council shall appoint a committee of persons, to be known as the Oral Health Therapists Accreditation Committee —
(a)
to determine the qualifications, experience and other conditions for registration as oral health therapists under this Act;
(b)
to make recommendations to the appropriate authorities on the courses of instructions and examinations leading to any qualification as oral health therapists under section 21A(1) and (2);
(c)
to accredit the training programmes to be recognised for persons who intend to qualify for registration as oral health therapists under this Act; and
(d)
to recommend to the Council programmes for the continuing professional education of persons who are registered as oral health therapists under this Act.
[22/2007]
(2) The Oral Health Therapists Accreditation Committee shall consist of —
(a)
the chairman, who shall be the Chief Dental Officer;
(b)
one member of the academic staff of the dental hygiene and therapy course offered by the Nanyang Polytechnic;
(c)
not more than 2 dentists whose names appear in the first division of the Register of Dentists; and
(d)
not less than 3 and not more than 5 registered oral health therapists, one of whom shall be a member of the Council.
[22/2007]
(3) The members of the Oral Health Therapists Accreditation Committee referred to in subsection (2)(c) and (d) shall be appointed for a term not exceeding 3 years each but may from time to time be reappointed and may at any time be removed from office by the Council.
[22/2007]
(4) If any appointed member of the Oral Health Therapists Accreditation Committee dies, resigns or is removed from office, the vacancy so created shall as soon as practicable be filled in the manner in which the appointment to the vacant office was made; and every person so appointed shall hold office for the remainder of the term for which his predecessor was appointed.
[22/2007]
(5) The powers of the Oral Health Therapists Accreditation Committee shall not be affected by any vacancy in the membership thereof.
[22/2007]
(6) At any meeting of the Oral Health Therapists Accreditation Committee, 3 members shall form a quorum.
[22/2007]
(7) At any meeting of the Oral Health Therapists Accreditation Committee, the chairman shall preside and, in his absence, the members present shall elect one of their members to preside at the meeting.
[22/2007]
(8) If on any question to be determined by the Oral Health Therapists Accreditation Committee there is an equality of votes, the chairman or the member presiding at the meeting shall have a casting vote.
[22/2007]
(9) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Oral Health Therapists Accreditation Committee may determine its own procedure.
[22/2007]
21D. Where a person has been registered as an oral health therapist, the Council shall issue to him a certificate of registration, and the Council may require that there be affixed to the certificate a photograph of that person or such other evidence of identity as the Council may direct from time to time.
[22/2007]
21E.
—(1) Any registered oral health therapist who desires to obtain a practising certificate shall apply to the Council in such form and manner as the Council may prescribe.
[22/2007]
(2) The application shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee.
[22/2007]
(3) A practising certificate shall be granted for a period not exceeding 2 years from the date of issue of the practising certificate.
[22/2007]
(4) Any application for renewal of a practising certificate shall be made not later than one month before the expiration of the practising certificate and shall be made in such form as the Council may require.
[22/2007]
(5) Any registered oral health therapist who applies for a practising certificate later than one month before the expiration of the practising certificate shall be liable to pay to the Council such late application fee as may be prescribed by the Council.
[22/2007]
(6) The Council may —
(a)
refuse to grant a practising certificate to a registered oral health therapist; or
(b)
refuse to renew the practising certificate of a registered oral health therapist,
if the registered oral health therapist has contravened any condition that is imposed by the Council with the approval of the Minister for the purposes of this section.
[22/2007]
(7) Where a registered oral health therapist has had his name removed from the Register of Oral Health Therapists or his registration suspended under any provision of this Act, any practising certificate issued to him shall be deemed to be cancelled and the registered oral health therapist shall immediately surrender the certificate to the Council.
[22/2007]
(8) Any person who fails to comply with subsection (7) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000.
[22/2007]
(9) For the purposes of subsection (5), the Council may prescribe different late application fees for applications made before, and applications made after, the expiration of the practising certificates.
[22/2007]
21F. A certificate purporting to be under the hand of the Registrar —
(a)
to the effect that at any time or during any period specified in the certificate any person was or was not a registered oral health therapist, or had or did not have in force a practising certificate; or
(b)
as to any entry in the Register of Oral Health Therapists, or the removal from that Register of any entry,
shall, in the absence of proof to the contrary, and without further proof of the signature appended to the certificate, be sufficient evidence of the matters specified therein.
[22/2007]
21G.
—(1) The Registrar shall —
(a)
insert in the Register of Oral Health Therapists any alteration which may come to his knowledge in the name or address of any registered oral health therapist;
(b)
correct any error in any entry in the Register of Oral Health Therapists;
(c)
remove from the Register of Oral Health Therapists the name of any person —
(i)
whose name is ordered to be removed under any provision of this Act; or
(ii)
who is deceased;
(d)
insert in the Register of Oral Health Therapists any alteration in the qualifications or additional qualifications of a registered oral health therapist; and
(e)
remove from the Register of Oral Health Therapists the name of any person who has requested and shown sufficient reason for his name to be removed from that Register, unless a complaint has been made, or an inquiry has, or investigations or proceedings have, commenced under Part V against that person.
[22/2007]
(2) The Registrar may remove from the Register of Oral Health Therapists the name of any person who has not renewed his practising certificate for a continuous period of not less than 5 years.
[22/2007]
21H.
—(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Part V, the Council may order the removal from the Register of Oral Health Therapists of the name of a registered oral health therapist if it comes to the knowledge of the Council that the registered oral health therapist —
(a)
has contravened any condition or restriction to which his registration as an oral health therapist is subject;
(b)
has obtained his registration by a fraudulent or an incorrect statement;
(c)
has had his qualification for registration under this Act withdrawn or cancelled by the authority through which it was acquired or by which it was awarded; or
(d)
has had his registration as an oral health therapist in any other country withdrawn, suspended or cancelled by the authority which registered him.
[22/2007]
(2) The Council shall, before exercising its powers under subsection (1), notify the registered oral health therapist concerned of its intention to take such action and shall give the registered oral health therapist an opportunity to submit reasons, within such period as the Council may determine, why his name should not be removed.
[22/2007]
(3) Any person aggrieved by an order under subsection (1) may, within 30 days of being notified of the order, appeal to the Minister whose decision shall be final.
[22/2007]