Advertising, Fee Disclosure, and Practice-Entity/Business Requirements
Advertising by dentists must be truthful and not misleading. The Board prohibits false or deceptive advertising, including claims of superiority without evidence, guarantees of results, or misleading fee information. Fee disclosure: if a dentist advertises fees, they must be specific and include all costs; bait-and-switch advertising is prohibited. Practice entities: dentists may practice as sole proprietors, partnerships, professional corporations (PC), or limited liability companies (LLC). Non-dentists may have ownership in certain entities under specific conditions, but the practice of dentistry must be controlled by dentists. Traps include assuming that any business structure is allowed, or that advertising can include patient testimonials without consent. Rule of thumb: all advertising must be verifiable and not create false expectations. Example: An ad offering a "free consultation" must disclose any conditions. Another trap is fee splitting with non-dentists, which is generally prohibited. Candidates should know that the Board can discipline for false advertising. Also, dentists must display their license and inform patients of their credentials. Business entities must register with the state and comply with corporate practice of dentistry rules. Understanding these requirements prevents legal issues. Always ensure that advertising and business arrangements comply with the Dental Practice Act and Board rules.