| (a) The dentist has special knowledge which a dental patient
does not have; therefore, to avoid misunderstanding, the dentist shall advise
a patient, before beginning treatment, of the proposed treatment, and any
reasonable alternatives, in a manner that allows the patient to become involved
in treatment decisions.
(b) Such advice shall include, at a minimum:
(1) the nature and extent of the treatment needed by such patient;
(2) the approximate time required to perform the recommended
dental treatment and services;
(3) the terms and conditions of the payment of his fee; and
(4) any further or additional service or returns by the patient
or adjustments, repair, or consultation and the time within which this shall
occur.
(c) On the written request of a patient, the licensed dentist
shall provide, in plain language, a written explanation of the charges for
professional services previously made on a bill or statement for the patient.
For this rule, the term "plain language" means language that avoids terms
of art or usage of words having specialized meaning in a context typically
understood only by health care professionals.
(d) Neither the dentist nor his employee(s) shall mislead dental
patients as to the gravity or lack thereof of such patient's dental needs.
(e) A dentist shall not flagrantly or persistently overcharge,
overdiagnose, or overtreat a patient. For this rule the meaning of the term
"overcharge" includes, but is not limited to, collecting or attempting to
collect a fee without reasonable justification for any element of dental services
provided to a patient that is in excess of the fee the dentist ordinarily
charges to others for the same service.
(f) A dentist may not employ an auxiliary to perform any dental
procedure which he cannot personally perform.
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