1. Position Summary
The primary objective of the professional interaction between dentists and the pharmaceutical industry should be the optimisation of the health of patients. Research projects requiring active cooperation between the dental profession and the pharmaceutical industry should be conducted under strict ethical guidelines.
2. Position
Professional interactions between dentists and the pharmaceutical industry should primarily aim to improve patient and community health, rather than serve the commercial interests of either party.
When obtaining, possessing, administering, supplying and prescribing pharmaceutical products dentists should:
• only administer, supply and prescribe drugs for the practice of dentistry;
• have the advancement of the health of patients as their primary objective;
• not supply pharmaceutical products unless there is no reasonable alternative;
• not allow their prescribing habits or use of products to be influenced by personal gifts
or incentives from the pharmaceutical industry or similar bodies;
• maintain professional autonomy, independence and commitment to the scientific method;
• ensure that the patient or their carer understands the reason for the use of the
medication, its dosage and any potential adverse reactions that the medication may cause;
• and be familiar with and have the relevant prescribing competencies defined in the ‘Prescribing Competencies Framework’.
Professional development and education regarding pharmaceutical products must comply with the expectations of ethical interactions with healthcare professionals as defined within Medicines Australia’s Code of Conduct.
When dental research requires the active cooperation between the dental profession and the pharmaceutical industry:
• dentists and dental researchers should satisfy themselves that the project has
genuine merit, it is not detrimental to the development of other more appropriate areas of research and is ethically sound, socially responsible and scientifically valid;
• the participation of dentists in research activities sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry should always be preceded by formal approval of the project by an appropriate review body, which should also receive a report upon its completion and such review should follow national guidelines of the type promulgated by the National Health and Medical Research Council’s Australian Health Ethics Committee and similar bodies; and
• all monies provided for research should be held in trust for the specified purposes, and such an account should be available for audit.
Dentists should not:
• be affiliated with the pharmaceutical industry if the nature of their affiliation influences their dental practice in an inappropriate fashion;
• knowingly invest in pharmaceutical companies where the investment might influence inappropriately the manner of their practice or their prescribing behaviour;
• accept a fee or incentive from pharmaceutical manufacturers or distributors in exchange for participating in promotional or similar activities;
• nor promote products in an unregulated fashion.
Dentists may accept educational materials from pharmaceutical companies appropriate to their areas of practice.
The curricula of Dental Schools should include formal training on the ethical association between dentists and the pharmaceutical industry.
The pharmaceutical industry should where possible, eliminate sugars and acids as additives in medications taken orally.
Compounded medicines are prescribed for individual patients only, and dentists should follow state regulations regarding the possession, acquisition, supply and advertising of compounded pharmaceuticals.
3. Background
The use of products produced by the pharmaceutical industry form an important part of the practice of dentistry.
The pharmaceutical industry and dentists interact in the following areas where dentists:
• Obtain, possess, administer, supply and prescribe drugs in the practice of dentistry;
• recommend the use of other pharmaceutical products;
• receive complementary information and promotional products from the pharmaceutical industry; and
• are involved in research and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities in conjunction with the pharmaceutical industry.
Transparency of arrangements between dentists and the pharmaceutical industry will improve confidence in the self-government role of the dental profession and ensure the best patient outcomes.
Medicines Australia provide a Code of Conduct to guide ethical interactions between the pharmaceutical industry and health professions.
It is important that dental students are adequately trained in the ethical issues surrounding the use of pharmaceutical products.
4. Definition
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY is industry involved in the development, testing, manufacturing, compounding, wholesaling and marketing of drugs and other medicinal products.
5. Last review
September 2025
6. Next review due
September 2030
This Policy Statement is linked to other Policy Statements:
2.2.2 Community Oral Health Promotion: Diet and Nutrition
2.4 Research
4.2 Sponsored Continuing Professional Development Activities
5.6 Dental Industry
6.23 Prescribing Medications in Dentistry.
