Advertising, fee setting, and business practice restrictions
What the domain tests
This domain tests advertising, fee setting, and business arrangements. Montana prohibits false, deceptive, or misleading advertising and restricts arrangements that evade licensure or supervision. The Board regulates professional conduct; it does not set a mandatory fee schedule.
Core rules
- Advertising must be truthful and not create unjustified expectations. Avoid “guaranteed” results, misleading specialty claims, and bait-and-switch offers.
- Identify the licensed dentist or practice responsible; do not imply that an unlicensed person may provide reserved services.
- Fee setting is competitive. Dentists may set their own fees, but may not agree with competitors on prices or divide fees for patient referrals in prohibited ways.
- Business structures cannot shield a licensee from responsibility for clinical care or supervision.
- Discounts and coupons must disclose material terms, expiration, and eligibility.
Worked example
A practice advertises “$49 cleaning” but tells every caller the price applies only with a $300 new-patient exam and X-rays. If the ad omits that condition, it is likely misleading. The lawful fix is clear disclosure of what the $49 includes and what it does not.
Traps
Assuming the Board approves fees; using “specialist” without recognized credentials; letting a marketing vendor make clinical claims the dentist cannot support; treating a discounted fee as automatically unethical.