Gifts provided by suppliers to dental professionals purchasing therapeutic products are banned as a result of the revised code published by the Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA), the peak business organisation representing dental product manufacturers and suppliers. The change comes with the ADIA Code of Practice – Edition 2 coming into force on 1 January 2018.
The ADIA Code of Practice – Edition 2 was introduced to address concerns of the Australian Government that marketing and promotional activities undertaken by businesses in the therapeutic products sector may inappropriately influence the decision making of healthcare professionals.
“Although there was no suggestion that this was occurring in the dental industry, ADIA was pleased to work within an Australian Government requirement that there be consistency across the codes published by all associations in the therapeutic products sector. Thus the dental industry now works within the same framework as not only elsewhere in the medical devices sector, but also the medicines sector” said Troy Williams, ADIA Chief Executive Officer.
A major change arising from ADIA Code of Practice – Edition 2 is that dental product suppliers are no longer able to offer gifts when a dental professional orders, purchases or is supplied a therapeutic product.
“The days of giving away iPads to dental professionals when they buy dental products is a thing of the past. The ADIA code works to ensure that decisions taken by dental professionals on management – including treatment options – for health needs are based on sound clinical evidence, not driven by incentives or other inappropriate influences,” Mr Williams said.
The ADIA Code of Practice – Edition 2 provides clear guidelines on the interaction between dental product suppliers and professionals, recognising that the ethical promotion of dental products is central to the trust-based framework within which healthcare professionals advise and treat patients. This promotion includes the industry working with dental professionals to develop evidence-based approaches to particular treatments, in the development of educational materials on the correct use of products, and to support hands-on learning in the correct use of certain products.
“ADIA’s work with patient groups has shown that this trust can be undermined where the independence of decision-making by dental professionals may be seen to be compromised by inappropriate product promotion by the dental industry,” Mr Williams said.
The ADIA Code of Practice – Edition 2 provides a framework that applies to the businesses that supply more than ninety-five percent of products used by dentists and allied oral health professionals across Australia. It was approved by a general meeting of members in mid-2017 following extensive consultation with the dental industry, dental professionals and patient groups.
"The new code is a positive step forward for Australia's dental industry. It builds upon the widespread positive reputation of an industry that empowers oral health professionals to advance the health and well-being of all Australians," Mr Williams concluded.
For more information on ADIA Code of Practice – Edition 2 visit the website at: www.adia.org.au/members/code.of.practice
