Guidelines for Instructor Dentists

TURKISH DENTAL ASSOCIATION

GUIDELINES FOR COMMUNITY ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY TRAINING DENTISTS

 (Entered into force by decision of the Central Executive Board dated December 16–17, 2009.)

            Purpose
ARTICLE 1– (1) The purpose of these Guidelines is to establish the procedures and principles regarding the training of dentists who will participate in community oral health education programs aimed at protecting oral health and reducing the prevalence of oral diseases.

            Scope
ARTICLE 2– (1) This Guideline covers oral and dental health education activities to be conducted in public spaces—excluding duties assigned to dentists by their institutions—and the dentists who will participate in these activities.

            Legal Basis
ARTICLE 3– (1) This guideline has been prepared in accordance with Article 26 of Law No. 3224 and the decision of the 10th Ordinary General Assembly.

            Definitions
ARTICLE 4– (1) The definitions used in this guideline are as follows:

            Union: The Turkish Dental Association,

            Chamber : The Chambers of Dentists,

            Training Dentist: A dentist who has been certified following participation in training programs conducted directly by the Association or approved by the Association,

            Certificate: The instructor dentist certification,

 respectively.

            Eligibility Requirements for Participation in the Training Dentist Education Program

            ARTICLE 5– (1) (Repealed: MYK Decision of April 14, 2010)

            (2) The program may be organized directly by the Association or, with the Association’s approval, by the Chambers.

            (3) The duration, scope, and method of the program are determined in advance and announced.

            (4) Dentists who complete the entire program are awarded a Certificate signed by the Chair of the Association’s Central Executive Board.

            Validity of the Certificate

            ARTICLE 6- (1) If a dentist does not participate in any continuing education activities organized by the Association or a Chamber within five years of receiving the certificate, the certificate is suspended. The suspension is lifted after the dentist participates in the first continuing education program following that date. A certificate that has been suspended for two years will be revoked. Dentists whose certificates have been revoked may obtain a new certificate by participating in the Instructor Dentist Training Program again.

            Conditions for Participation in Health Education Activities

            ARTICLE 7– (1) Oral and dental health education activities conducted in public spaces are carried out on a voluntary basis.

            (2) To serve as an educator in these activities, one must have obtained a certificate.

            Rules for Health Education Activities to Be Conducted in Public Spaces

            ARTICLE 8– (1)

            a) The Association must be notified at least ten days in advance of health education programs to be held in public spaces. The responsibility for providing this notification lies with the dentist organizing the program and/or participating in the program.

            b) Materials such as booklets and brochures to be used in the educational activities may only be used after approval by the Union’s Central Executive Board.

            c) Educational activities may not, under any circumstances, be conducted for the purpose of referring patients to healthcare institutions, organizations, or private practices. Any conduct or behavior in educational activities that constitutes advertising for individuals or institutions is strictly prohibited.  

            Educational Activities

            ARTICLE 9– (1) Educational activities may be conducted for the following groups:

            a) Education for the 0–15 age group,
b) Adult education,
c) Education for special groups (children with intellectual disabilities, patients with diabetes, patients with oral cancer, pregnant women, etc.).

            Content of Educational Activities

            ARTICLE 10– (1) Oral health education programs provided to the public consist of both theoretical and practical components.

            a) Theoretical Education
- Health and health promotion,
- Stages of learning,
- Assessment and situation analysis,
- Visual materials,

            b) Practical Training
- Clinical assessment
, - Standard oral care, and
- Evaluation of indices.

            Repeal

            ARTICLE 11- (1) The Turkish Dental Association’s Guidelines on Community Oral and Dental Health Education Activities, which entered into force by decision of the Central Executive Board dated December 1, 2005, are hereby repealed.

            Entry into Force

            ARTICLE 12—(1) These Guidelines shall enter into force on the date of their adoption by the Association’s Central Executive Board.

            Implementation

            ARTICLE 13—(1) The provisions of these Guidelines shall be implemented by the Boards of Directors of the Association and the Chambers.