Dental Registration Regulations

Dental Registration Act

(Chapter 76, Section 62)

Dental Registration Regulations

Rg 1

G.N. No. S 454/1999

REVISED EDITION 2009

(31st August 2009)

[15th October 1999]

PART I

PRELIMINARY

Citation

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Dental Registration Regulations.

Definitions

2.—(1)  In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires —

“Accreditation Board” means the Dental Specialists Accreditation Board established under section 41 of the Act;

[S 338/2025 wef 15/09/2022]

“Complaints Committee” means a committee appointed under section 44(5) of the Act;

[S 338/2025 wef 15/09/2022]

“Council’s solicitor” means an advocate and solicitor appointed under section 65 of the Act;

[S 338/2025 wef 15/09/2022]

“Council’s website” means the Council’s Internet website at https://www.sdc.gov.sg;

[S 338/2025 wef 01/06/2025]

“Disciplinary Committee” means a Disciplinary Committee appointed under section 47(1) of the Act;

[S 338/2025 wef 15/09/2022]

“elected members”, in relation to the Council, means the members of the Council referred to in section 3(2)(f) of the Act;

“Interim Orders Committee” means an Interim Orders Committee appointed in accordance with section 57 of the Act;

[S 338/2025 wef 15/09/2022]

“legal assessor” means an assessor appointed under section 71 of the Act;

[S 338/2025 wef 15/09/2022]

“medical assessor” means an assessor appointed under section 54(4) of the Act;

[S 338/2025 wef 15/09/2022]

“medical practitioner” means a person registered under the Medical Registration Act 1997;

[S 338/2025 wef 15/09/2022]

“registered person” means a person who is registered under Part 3 of the Act for the carrying out of any practice of dentistry;

[S 338/2025 wef 15/09/2022]

“relevant dentist” means a registered dentist whose name appears in the first division of the Register of Dentists.

(2)  Any reference to a registered person, in relation to an inquiry by a Disciplinary Committee or a Health Committee, is a reference to the registered person to whom the inquiry relates.

(3)  [Deleted by S 338/2025 wef 01/06/2025]

PART II

ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF DENTAL COUNCIL

Returning officer

3.—(1)  The executive secretary of the Council, or any other person whom the Council may from time to time appoint, shall be the returning officer for the purpose of electing the elected members of the Council.

(2)  The returning officer may appoint assistant returning officers who shall act under the direction of the returning officer.

Notice of nomination

4.—(1)  If any vacancy arises amongst the elected members of the Council, the returning officer shall, as soon as practicable, fix —

(a) the dates, times, place, manner and procedure for submitting nomination papers;

(b) the date or dates and the times for balloting which shall be not more than 60 days after the close of nominations; and

(c) the place or places where the ballot shall take place.

(2)  The returning officer shall cause a notice to be sent to each relevant dentist informing him of the matters referred to in paragraph (1), together with a nomination paper which shall be in such form as the Council may determine.

Nominations

5.—(1)  Every relevant dentist who desires to nominate a candidate for election as a member of the Council shall —

(a) enter his own name as proposer and sign on the nomination paper referred to in regulation 4(2);

(b) enter on the nomination paper the name of the candidate and have the consent of the candidate endorsed thereon;

(c) enter on the nomination paper the name of a seconder for the candidate and have the signature of the seconder endorsed thereon; and

(d) submit the nomination paper in the manner fixed by the returning officer under regulation 4(1)(a) together with such information concerning the candidate as the returning officer may require.

(2)  No person other than a relevant dentist shall propose or second the nomination of any candidate.

(3)  The number of candidates nominated in an election by a proposer shall not exceed the number of vacancies for elected members of the Council to be filled in that election.

Vacancies filled by number of nominations

6.  If the returning officer receives no more valid nominations than there are vacancies to be filled, he shall declare the candidates nominated to be elected and shall report accordingly to the Council at its next meeting.

Vacancies exceeded by number of nominations

7.  If the returning officer receives more valid nominations than there are vacancies to be filled, he shall cause a notice to be sent to every relevant dentist containing instructions relating to —

(a) the dates, times and places fixed for balloting;

(b) the procedure for balloting; and

(c) the names of the candidates and such other relevant information as the returning officer may determine.

No soliciting or canvassing for votes

7A.—(1)  A candidate shall not canvass for votes, or solicit the vote of any person, except in the manner permitted by the returning officer.

(2)  Any candidate who contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

Form and manner of voting

8.—(1)  Voting shall be by secret ballot.

(2)  Balloting shall be conducted in such form and manner, whether manually or by mechanical or electronic means, as the returning officer may determine.

Duties of relevant dentists when voting

9.—(1)  Every relevant dentist who votes shall —

(a) produce such proof of identity as the returning officer may require;

(b) indicate the candidates for whom they wish to vote in such manner as the returning officer may determine; and

(c) submit their votes in such manner as the returning officer may determine.

(2)  The penalty for failure to vote referred to in section 5(2) of the Act shall be $500.

Counting of votes

10.—(1)  The returning officer shall —

(a) cause the votes given to each candidate to be counted, whether manually or by mechanical or electronic means; and

(b) declare to be elected the candidate or candidates with the highest numbers of votes.

(2)  If there is an equality of votes, the successful candidate or candidates shall be determined by drawing lots.

(3)  The returning officer shall cause a notice to be sent to every registered dentist informing him of the results of the election.

Storage of records

11.  Subject to any directions that the President may give, the records of the vote shall be retained securely by the Council for 3 months.

Complaints to Council

12.—(1)  Subject to paragraph (2), any question arising out of the election as to whether —

(a) a person is a relevant dentist;

(b) a candidate has been validly nominated; or

(c) a vote may be counted,

shall be decided by the returning officer.

(2)  Any person aggrieved by an act or decision of the returning officer may, not later than 7 days after the results of an election have been declared, complain to the Council, which may investigate the complaint and take such action (including declaring the election void in whole or in part) as it may think fit.

(3)  Any complaint that a candidate or any person on his behalf has used corrupt methods or undue influence in order to secure the election or rejection of a candidate shall be made to the Council which may investigate the complaint and take such action (including declaring the election void in whole or in part) as it may think fit.

(4)  No failure to comply with these Regulations shall invalidate an election if it appears that the election was conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in these Regulations, and that the failure did not affect the results of the election.

PART III

REGISTRATION

Application for registration as dentist

13.—(1)  The form to be used for the purpose of an application for registration as a dentist under the Act is that set out at the Council’s website and every such application shall be accompanied by the following:

(a) a certified copy of the degree referred to in section 14, 14A or 14B of the Act;

(b) evidence of identity in the form of a statement by a registered dentist whose name appears in the first division of the Register of Dentists, a Magistrate or a Justice of the Peace to the effect that the applicant is personally known to him and is in fact the person whose name appears in the application;

(c) a certificate by a medical practitioner approved by the Council of the applicant’s fitness to practise dentistry;

(d) a certificate of registration as a dentist in any foreign country if the applicant has been registered in that country;

(e) where applicable, a certificate of good standing or certificate of professional status from the registration body of a country where the applicant has been registered stating that, on the date of issue, the applicant is a registered dentist of that country and that no proceedings have been taken or are pending against him;

[S 338/2025 wef 01/06/2025]

(f) any other information, statement or document required by the Council; and

(g) the appropriate fee specified in the Second Schedule.

[S 338/2025 wef 01/06/2025]

(2)  Any document produced under paragraph (1) which is not in English shall be accompanied by a certified translation thereof in English.

Application for registration as specialist

14.—(1)  The form to be used for the purpose of an application for registration as a specialist under the Act is that set out at the Council’s website and every such application shall be accompanied by the following:

(a) a certificate obtained from the Accreditation Board under section 42(1) of the Act; and

[S 338/2025 wef 15/09/2022]

(b) the appropriate fee specified in the Second Schedule.

[S 338/2025 wef 01/06/2025]

(2)  If the Council is satisfied that the applicant —

(a) has the qualifications determined by the Accreditation Board under section 42(1) of the Act for registration as a specialist in any defined specialty;

[S 338/2025 wef 15/09/2022]

(b) has gained the special knowledge, skill and experience determined by the Accreditation Board under section 42(1) of the Act for registration as a specialist in any defined specialty;

[S 338/2025 wef 15/09/2022]

(c) is of good reputation and character; and

(d) is a registered dentist under the Act,

the Council may, subject to section 14C(3) of the Act and to any condition or restriction it may impose, register the applicant as a specialist in that defined specialty.

[S 338/2025 wef 15/09/2022]

(3)  Where the Council refuses to register an applicant, the Council shall by notice in writing inform the applicant of such refusal.

(4)  The applicant may, within one month of the date of the notice given under paragraph (3), appeal to the Minister whose decision shall be final.

(5)  In this regulation, unless the context otherwise requires, “defined specialty” means any branch of dentistry which the Accreditation Board has defined under section 42(1)(b) of the Act as a specialty in dentistry for the purposes of registration in the Register of Specialists.

[S 338/2025 wef 15/09/2022]

Application for registration as oral health therapist

15.—(1)  The form to be used for the purpose of an application for registration as an oral health therapist under the Act is that set out at the Council’s website and every such application shall be accompanied by the following:

(a) a certified copy of the certificate, diploma or qualification referred to in section 21 of the Act;

[S 338/2025 wef 15/09/2022]

(b) evidence of identity in the form of a statement by a registered dentist whose name appears in the first division of the Register of Dentists, a registered oral health therapist, a Magistrate or a Justice of the Peace to the effect that the applicant is personally known to him and is in fact the person whose name appears in the application;

(c) a certificate by a medical practitioner approved by the Council of the applicant’s fitness to practise dentistry;

(d) a certificate of registration as an oral health therapist in any foreign country if the applicant has been registered in that country;

(e) where applicable, a certificate of good standing or certificate of professional status from the registration body of a country where the applicant has been registered stating that, on the date of issue, the applicant is a registered oral health therapist of that country and that no proceedings have been taken or are pending against him;

[S 338/2025 wef 01/06/2025]

(f) any other information, statement or document required by the Council; and

(g) the appropriate fee specified in the Second Schedule.

[S 338/2025 wef 01/06/2025]

(2)  Any document produced under paragraph (1) which is not in English shall be accompanied by a certified translation thereof in English.

Examinations for dentists

15A.—(1)  An examination referred to in section 14A(2) of the Act shall be in such subjects as the Council may from time to time determine, and may include —

(a) oral and written examinations in the basic principles of surgery, medicine and pathology, as applied to dentistry;

(b) oral and written examinations in dentistry; and

(c) practical examinations in clinical dentistry.

(2)  For the purposes of conducting the examination referred to in paragraph (1), the Council may —

(a) appoint a Committee of Examiners; or

(b) make arrangements with the Faculty of Dentistry of the National University of Singapore.

(2A)  The examination shall consist of 3 parts, being Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

[S 88/2014 wef 17/02/2014]

(3)  The date and place of each part of the examination shall be appointed by the Council.

[S 88/2014 wef 17/02/2014]

(4)  An applicant who is required by the Council to undergo the examination —

(a) must sit for and pass all the 3 parts of the examination in sequence in order to pass the examination;

(b) shall be entitled to sit for Part 2 of the examination only after having sat for and passed Part 1 of the examination;

(c) shall be entitled to sit for Part 3 of the examination only after having sat for and passed both Part 1 and Part 2 of the examination; and

(d) shall be entitled to only 2 attempts at each part of the examination and the second attempt must be taken within a period of 12 months after the date on which the first attempt was taken.

[S 88/2014 wef 17/02/2014]

Prescribed examinations for oral health therapists

15B.—(1)  For the purpose of section 21(1)(b)(ii) of the Act, the prescribed examination shall be the Oral Health Therapist (Part I) Registration Examination.

[S 338/2025 wef 15/09/2022]

(2)  For the purposes of section 21(5) of the Act, the prescribed examination shall be the Oral Health Therapist (Part II) Registration Examination.

[S 338/2025 wef 15/09/2022]

(3)  For the purposes of conducting the examination referred to in paragraph (1) or (2), the Council may —

(a) appoint a Committee of Examiners; or

(b) make arrangements with the Nanyang Polytechnic or any other institutions approved by the Council.

(4)  The date and place of the examination shall be appointed by the Council.

(5)  An applicant who is required by the Council to undergo the examination referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) shall be entitled to only 2 attempts at the examination, both attempts to be taken within a period of 12 months of each other.

Application to sit for examinations

15C.  Every application to sit for an examination referred to in regulation 15A or 15B, as the case may be, shall be —

(a) made in such form and manner as the Council may determine; and

(b) accompanied by the appropriate fee specified in the Second Schedule.

PART IIIA

GRANT AND RENEWAL OF PRACTISING CERTIFICATES

Definitions of this Part

15D.—(1)  In this Part —

“active practice” means the practice of dentistry, whether on a full-time or part-time basis, or as a locum;

“continuing professional education point” means a continuing professional education point which a registered person obtains by successfully completing any activity, course or programme in the list of activities, courses and programmes published under regulation 15H(1);

“core programme” means any activity, course or programme identified under regulation 15H(2) as a core programme;

“qualifying period”, in relation to a registered person, means the period specified in the part of the fourth column of the Third Schedule applicable to him;

“requisite continuing professional education points”, in relation to a registered person, means the number of continuing professional education points specified in the part of the second column of the Third Schedule applicable to him.

(2)  In this Part, a registered person obtains a specified number of continuing professional education points if he successfully completes one or more of the activities, courses and programmes in the list of activities, courses and programmes published under regulation 15H(1), the total number of continuing professional education points of which equals or exceeds that specified number.

Application of this Part

15E.—(1)  Subject to paragraph (2), this Part shall apply to —

(a) a dentist registered under section 14 or 14A of the Act and who, on or after 1st October 2009, applies for —

(i) the grant of a practising certificate; or

(ii) the renewal of his practising certificate; and

(b) an oral health therapist registered under section 21 of the Act and who, on or after 1st October 2010, applies for —

(i) the grant of a practising certificate; or

(ii) the renewal of his practising certificate.

[S 338/2025 wef 15/09/2022]

(2)  Regulations 15H and 15I shall not apply to a dentist or an oral health therapist who applies for —

(a) the grant of a practising certificate for the first time; or

(b) the renewal of his practising certificate (which has a validity period of 3 months or less) for the first time under these Regulations.

Application for practising certificate

15F.  The form to be used for the purpose of an application for a practising certificate under section 17 or 25 of the Act is that set out at the Council’s website and every such application shall be accompanied by the appropriate fee specified in the Second Schedule.

[S 338/2025 wef 15/09/2022]

[S 338/2025 wef 01/06/2025]

Additional fee for late application

15G.—(1)  Subject to paragraph (2), where an application for a practising certificate under section 17 or 25 of the Act is made —

(a) less than one month before the expiry of the practising certificate; or

(b) after the expiry of the practising certificate,

the appropriate fee specified in the Second Schedule in addition to the fee payable under regulation 15F shall accompany and be payable in respect of that application.

[S 338/2025 wef 15/09/2022]

(2)  Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any first application for the renewal of a practising certificate which has a validity period of one month or less.

List of activities, etc., with continuing professional education points

15H.—(1)  The Council shall publish on the Council’s website a list of activities, courses and programmes relating to the practice of dentistry for the purposes of this Part and the number of continuing professional education points which a registered person obtains by successfully completing each of the activities, courses and programmes.

[S 338/2025 wef 01/06/2025]

(2)  The Council shall —

(a) identify in the list those activities, courses and programmes which are core programmes for the purposes of this Part; and

(b) in respect of each core programme, state in the list whether it is a core programme for —

(i) a registered dentist;

(ii) a registered oral health therapist; or

(iii) a registered dentist of a specified description.

Grant or renewal of practising certificate subject to obtaining continuing professional education points

15I.—(1)  For the purposes of sections 17(6) and 25(6) of the Act, the Council may refuse to grant a practising certificate to a registered person or renew his practising certificate, if he fails to satisfy the Council that he has obtained the requisite continuing professional education points.

[S 338/2025 wef 15/09/2022]

(2)  In relation to the continuing professional education points for the grant or renewal of a practising certificate under paragraph (1), not less than the percentage of those points specified in the part of the third column of the Third Schedule applicable to the registered person must be obtained by successfully completing one or more of the core programmes specified in that part.

(3)  A registered person who is not in active practice shall not be entitled to rely on any of the lower continuing professional education points specified in item 7 of Part I (if he is a registered dentist whose name appears in the first division of the Register of Dentists) or item 6 of Part II (if he is a registered dentist whose name appears in the second division of the Register of Dentists or a registered oral health therapist) in the Third Schedule for the renewal of his practising certificate unless —

(a) he has filed with the Council a declaration in Form A, as set out at the Council’s website; and

[S 338/2025 wef 01/06/2025]

(b) the Council has granted its approval for him to so rely on such lower continuing professional education points.

(4)  A registered person referred to in paragraph (3) may resume active practice only if he satisfies the requirements specified in item 8 of Part I (if he is a registered dentist whose name appears in the first division of the Register of Dentists) or item 7 of Part II (if he is a registered dentist whose name appears in the second division of the Register of Dentists or a registered oral health therapist) in the Third Schedule.

(5)  In computing the total number of continuing professional education points obtained by a registered person applying for the grant or renewal of a practising certificate, only points obtained by him within the qualifying period shall be considered.

(6)  The Council may, in such special circumstances as it may determine, grant a practising certificate to a registered person or renew his practising certificate even though he has failed to satisfy the Council of the matter referred to in paragraph (1) or (2).

Duration of practising certificate

15J.  A practising certificate shall be valid for the period specified therein.