The document discusses several sections of the Dentists Act and Dental Council of India Code of Ethics that direct-to-consumer aligner companies may be violating. It notes that the companies could be violating regulations regarding the need for a registered dentist to oversee treatment, soliciting patients, providing inadequate examination and follow-up care, inaccurate claims about other orthodontic treatments, and more. It also discusses provisions in the IOS Constitution regarding disciplinary actions that could be taken against members for misconduct like defamation or failing to submit required reports.

1. Sections of Dentists Act and DCI Code of Ethics –
Which apply to D2C Aligners/ DIY Aligners as UNETHICAL
1. Registration of dentist, not mentioned / displayed or provided, which should
be visible to all patients, at all Portals and Prescriptions
Violation of Section 51, sub-section 1,2 of Dentist`s Act, 1948 as they are in
contravention of Section 49, sub-section 1, 1(b), 2 of Dentist`s Act, 1948 and
for Orthodontists/ Dental Professionals working with the company, its
Violation of Section 3.1.1, 8.9.1 and 8.15.5 . They are Punishable if found
guilty as per Sections 9.1, 9.2 of Dental Council of India, Code of Ethics.
2. Exposure of unethical conduct; Company bypassing an Orthodontist/Dentist, reaching
public via social media and other online platform, solicitation of patients is clear Violation
of Sections 8.1.1, 8.1.2, 8.1.3, 8.1.4, 8.1.5, 8.1.9, 8.2.7 of Dental Council of India, Code of
Ethics

2. Sections of Dentists Act and DCI Code of Ethics –
Which apply to D2C Aligners/ DIY Aligners as UNETHICAL
3. Orthodontist / Dentist should provide highest quality of treatment for better
outcome, where in this case the company OR any Orthodontist/Dentist, associated
with the company who is providing/ endorsing treatment without proper
examination, tests, thorough diagnosis and treatment planning, with no follow up are
in Violation of Section 3.2.1, 8.15.5 of Dental Council of India, Code of
Ethics for patient care.
4. Company projecting With their aggressive ad campaigns, to lure common
man for getting Aligner treatment is clearly projecting Fixed Orthodontic
Appliances, as bad and claiming that there are ill effects, which are demeaning
or disparaging against Orthodontic procedures which are valid and
scientifically well acclaimed by EVIDENCE and are in direct contravention of
Sections 8.1.1, 8.1.2, 8.1.3, 8.1.4, 8.1.8, 8.1.9 of Section 8.1, Dental
Council of India, Code of Ethics.

3. Sections of Dentists Act and DCI Code of Ethics –
Which apply to D2C Aligners/ DIY Aligners as UNETHICAL
5. Giving bill in the name of company without dental surgeon`s name and
professional degree amounts to violation of Section 3.1.1, 5.7.1, 5.7.2, 8.9.1 and
8.15.4 and Punishable if found guilty as per Sections 9.1, 9.2 of Dental Council of
India, Code of Ethics and in Contravention of Section 51, sub-section 1,2 of
Dentist`s Act, 1948, Section 49, sub-section 1, 1(b),2 of Dentist`s Act, 1948
6. An important aspect of the functioning of the company, as per the DIY
Impression kits (Putty Materials, in 2 small boxes, impression trays etc in the
form of kit), they supply and encourage the Patients who themselves are (NOT
QUALIFIED to take self-impressions) is responsible for Contravention of the
provisions of Section 49, sub-section 1 of Dentist`s act,1948. These above
materials require proper handling by dental professionals as equivalent as
administration of Anaesthetics as mentioned in Section 49, sub-
section 1(b) of Dentist`s act,1948.

4. Sections of Dentists Act and DCI Code of Ethics –
Which apply to D2C Aligners/ DIY Aligners as UNETHICAL
7. Aligner treatment requires various specialized skills as per the art and science of
Orthodontic treatment which includes Proximal Slicing, bonding of Precision
Attachments as per Aligner templates. Those companies which do not follow these
rules and the dental professionals under whose name the patients are treated are
accountable as per Section 3.6 of Dental Council of India, Code of Ethics.
8. Various offers of money and incentives offered by DIY Aligner companies to
dental professionals to refer their patients, or let the companies utilize their
clinics or premises to do the initial steps of attachment placements or enter
into an agreement based on high monetary incentives are, in direct violation of
Section 5.1.1, 5.1.2, 8.1.4, 8.6.1, 8.6.2 of Dental Council of India, Code of
Ethics.

5. IOS Constitution –
DISCIPLINARYACTION AGAINST MEMBERS
• 17(a) Member Not in Good Standing (MNGS)
17(a)(iii) For actions detailed in Article 9 (c) (ii) and 9 (c) (iii) towards misuse of
electronic communication media approved by the Society by any member.
9(c)(ii) Letters and/or post(s) on electronic media sent by a member through
emails/SMS/social networking media by using fictitious addresses (for emails) and / or by furnishing
/ using incorrect / unsubstantiated information about self / the Society to other member(s) will be
considered to be an anti-Society activity and attract punitive measures as per the recourse outlined
under Article 17 & 18 of the Constitution.B8,2019
9(c)(iii) Any slanderous / accusatory mail and/or post on electronic media approved by the
Society such as email/SMS/Facebook/other IOS approved social networking media originating from
the email identity of a member about another member(s) and / or the Office Bearers of IOS shall be
treated as attempts at defamation and the onus will be on the sender of such a mail to prove the
accusations / insinuations beyond any reasonable doubt to the EC.
If the sender of such a mail fails to do so, this will be considered as an anti-Society activity and
dealt with as per the recourse outlined under Article 17 & 18 of the Constitution.

6. 17(a)(iv) Willful academic misconduct if proved to the satisfaction of the EC. This
can include plagiarism, authorship misconduct, intellectual theft, etc.
17(a)(iv) Non-submission of accounts of any activities under the aegis of IOS,
academic or non-academic, such as Conference.
17(b)(i to vii) Ceasure of Membership
IOS Constitution –
DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST MEMBERS

7. IOS Constitution –
DISCIPLINARYACTION AGAINST MEMBERS
• All privileges mentioned in article 19 will be ceased for Members on whom
action of Ceasure of membership is taken against them.

8. IOS Constitution – Code of Ethics
1. Continuing Professional Development in Orthodontics
2. Service to the Public
3. Regulation of a Profession:
• Every profession receives from the society the right to regulate itself - to
determine and judge its own members. Such regulations are Achieved largely
through the influence of the professional societies and hence, every Orthodontist
has a dual obligation of making himself / herself a part of a professional society
and of observing its rules and regulations.
4. Leadership:
• An Orthodontist has the obligation of providing freely his skills, knowledge, and
experience to the society in those fields in Which his / her qualifications entitle
him to speak with professional competence. An Orthodontist should be a leader in
his community and make all efforts leading to the improvement of the dental
health of the general public.

9. IOS Constitution – Code of Ethics

10. IOS Constitution – Code of Ethics

11. • 12. Professional Cards, Letterheads & Announcements:
• 13. Office, Door, Lettering Signs:
• 14. Use of Professional Titles and Degrees:
• 15. Health Education of public:
An Orthodontist may properly participate in a program of health education of the
public involving such media as the press, radio, television and lectures provided that
such programs are in keeping with the dignity and the custom of the dental
profession in the community.
• 16. Directories:
• 17. Name of Practice
• 18. Transfer of Patients:
An Orthodontist will write a letter of the treatment plan/ progress and hand over
the records of the patient (i.e. All X rays- Orthopantomograph, Lateral
Cephalogram, Study Models and Photographs-Extra oral and Intra oral) in case of
patients getting transferred to another geographic city and or place.
IOS Constitution – Code of Ethics