Functions of SDC

Who we are

The Singapore Dental Council is the self-regulatory body for the dental professions constituted under the Dental Registration Act 1999. Its key objectives are to promote high standards of oral health and to promote the interests of the dental profession in Singapore.

The SDC logo embraces a serpent that entwines onto the Rod of Asclepius, which represents healing. Posturing over the Singapore map, it signifies the Council's oversight to safe-guard the ethos of dentistry for Singaporeans as governed by the dual nature of the work of the dentist, i.e. professional interest, ethics, conduct and patient safety.

Functions of the Council

The Council is empowered

• to approve or reject applications for registration as a dentist;

• to issue certificates of registration and practising certificates to registered dentists;

• to make recommendations to the appropriate authorities on the courses of instructions and examinations;

• to make recommendations to the appropriate authorities for the training and education of registered dentists;

• to determine and regulate the conduct and ethics of registered dentists; and

• generally to do all such acts, matters and things as are necessary to be carried out, or which the Council is authorised to carry out, under the Dental Registration Act.

Members of the Council

The Council comprises the following members, namely:

Election

The election of Council members is held once every 3 years. Every registered dentist whose name appears in the first division of the register and who is resident in Singapore must vote during the election of members of the Council under Section 5 of the Dental Registration Act.

If a dentist fails to do so, he shall not be entitled to apply for a practising certificate under section 17, unless he satisfies the Registrar that he has a good and sufficient reason for not voting or unless he pays to the Council a penalty prescribed by the Council.