Public Comment Sought On New Dental Industry Code

The peak business organisation representing manufacturers and suppliers of quality dental products, the Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA), has released the public comment draft of its proposed new code of practice.

“The purpose of the proposed new ADIA code is to ensure that decisions made by dental and oral healthcare professionals concerning patient health needs are based on sound clinical evidence, not driven by incentives or other influences offered by the dental industry,” said Troy Williams, ADIA Chief Executive Officer.

The origins of the new code stem from a 2010 Australian Government discussion paper that referenced on-going public concern about promotion of therapeutic goods to healthcare professionals. The discussion paper cited a lack of a level playing field across the therapeutic goods sector regarding the requirements and enforcement of self-regulatory codes of conduct. Significantly, although the discussion paper did not reference concerns with respect to the interaction of dental professionals with the dental industry, the ADIA Board willingly agreed there were benefits in a sector-wide approach to therapeutic product promotion.

“ADIA is a strong supporter of the self-regulatory approach which remains the Australian Government’s preferred model. In this context, ADIA is committed to the development of a new code that is consistent with other codes in the therapeutic products sector which are based on a common set of high level principles,” Mr Williams said.

The proposed new ADIA code sets out the standards appropriate to the various forms of relationships entered into by ADIA members in their dealings with other parties in the Australian dental community. The proposed new code is not intended to supplant or supersede Australian Federal or State / Territory laws, or professional codes, including those that may be applied by individual companies. These may impose particular additional requirements upon ADIA members or healthcare professionals who engage in interactions of a professional nature.

“ADIA believes that through the new code healthcare professionals, regulators and the Australian community can have confidence in their dealings with the dental industry, and its products, given the high ethical standards and socially acceptable behaviour which prevails across the sector,” Mr Williams concluded.

Responses on the public comment draft should be received by 31 October 2014 and a copy of the code is available online at www.adia.org.au/code.review.