Legal basis and power under law
- The Resolution is anchored on the Board’s authority under Section 6, Article II of Republic Act No. 9484 (the Philippine Dental Act of 2007) to prescribe and/or adopt a Code of Ethics and a Code of Dental Practice for the practice of dentistry, dental hygiene, and dental technology.
- Section 25, Article IV of Republic Act No. 9484 requires the Board to adopt and promulgate the Code of Ethics and Code of Dental Practice for dentists, dental hygienists, and dental technologists prescribed and issued by an accredited professional organization of dentists.
- The Resolution adopts the ethics code through consultation and deliberation to make it part of the Board’s implementing rules for Republic Act No. 9484.
Policy and intent statement
- “Ethics” is treated as a system of moral principles or values, governing professional conduct and establishing the means of doing what is right, fair, and honest.
- The Resolution’s objective is to establish professional standards of moral conduct for dentists, dental hygienists, and dental technologists as implementing rules under Republic Act No. 9484.
Definitions adopted
- The Resolution defines “ethics” as a system of moral principles or values and the rules or standards governing professional conduct, accepted principles of right or wrong, and the means of doing what is right, fair, and honest.
Responsible bodies and consultation process
- The Resolution is adopted and promulgated by the Professional Regulatory Board of Dentistry.
- The Philippine Dental Association, Inc. (PDA) is recognized as the accredited professional organization of dentists by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
- The Board considers a draft submitted by PDA after consultation with stakeholders: “Proposed Amendments to the Philippine Code of Dental Ethics.”
- The Board deliberates with stakeholders, enhances the draft, and embraces it as part of the Board’s rules and regulations implementing Republic Act No. 9484.
Code adoption and incorporation by reference
- The Board Resolution adopts and promulgates the Code of Ethics for Dentists, Dental Hygienists and Dental Technologists marked as Annex A.
- Annex A is made an integral part of PRC Board Resolution No. 14, s. of 2008.
- The Resolution directs dissemination of the adopted code through the PDA and other dental organizations or societies to reach all concerned stakeholders.
Procedural effect: publication requirement
- The Resolution specifies that it takes effect after fifteen (15) days from full and complete publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.
- The effectivity rule is tied to completion of publication, not mere adoption.
Finalization and official action
- The Resolution records adoption by Board members and includes attestation and approval signatures by the responsible PRC officials.
- The Resolution is executed through the signatures of the Board Chair and members and is processed through the Secretary, Professional Regulatory Boards and the PRC officials approving the resolution.