National Dental Commission advisory on social media promotion by dentists (14 October 2026)

In short: On 14 October 2026 the Ethics and Dental Registration Board of the National Dental Commission issued an advisory to all registered dental practitioners on Unethical Social Media Promotion and Advertising by Registered Dentists. It takes effect immediately.

What was issued

• Issued by: Ethics and Dental Registration Board (EDRB), National Dental Commission, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
• File No.: 2/Advisory/EDRB/NDC/2026/M-2672, dated 14 October 2026
• Addressed to: all registered dental practitioners across the country
• In force: immediately, subject to the statutory powers of the issuing authority (para 5)

Official PDF: dciindia.gov.in

Practices named in the advisory (para 1)

• Recording and broadcasting consultations and dental procedures
• Publishing patient testimonials and before-and-after photographs
• Making misleading treatment claims
• Disseminating inaccurate health information
• Engaging in self-aggrandizing publicity
• Displaying disproportionately large signboards

Regulations cited (para 2)

The advisory cites Chapter VI (Unethical Acts), clauses 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3 of the Revised Dentists (Code of Ethics) Regulations, 2014, and advises all registered dental practitioners to strictly adhere to professional ethics governing advertising, patient solicitation, confidentiality, publicity and signage.

Action (para 3)

Any established violation may invite disciplinary action, including a show-cause notice, suspension or removal from the State and National Register of Dentists, as permissible under applicable law.

Read more

• NDC social media advisory for dentists
• Can doctors and dentists post before-and-after photos?
• Can doctors and dentists share patient reviews and testimonials?
• NMC and NDC social media guidelines: overview

This is a summary of the published advisory, not legal advice. Check the official advisory for the exact text.