Singapore legislation
Section 40
Section 40
Findings of Disciplinary Committee
(1)
Where a registered dentist or registered oral health therapist is found or judged by a Disciplinary Committee —
to have been convicted in Singapore or elsewhere of any offence involving fraud or dishonesty;
to have been convicted in Singapore or elsewhere of any offence implying a defect in character which makes him unfit for his profession;
to have been guilty of such improper act or conduct which, in the opinion of the Disciplinary Committee, brings disrepute to his profession;
to have been guilty of professional misconduct; or
to have contravened section 31 or 31A,the Disciplinary Committee may exercise one or more of the powers referred to in subsection (2).
(2)
The powers referred to in subsection (1) are as follows:
by order direct the Registrar to remove the name of the registered dentist or registered oral health therapist concerned from the appropriate register;
by order suspend the registration of the registered dentist or registered oral health therapist concerned for a period of not less than 3 months and not more than 3 years;
by order impose such conditions as are necessary to restrict the practice of the registered dentist or registered oral health therapist concerned in such manner as the Disciplinary Committee thinks fit for a period not exceeding 3 years;
by order impose on the registered dentist or registered oral health therapist concerned a penalty not exceeding $50,000;
by writing censure the registered dentist or registered oral health therapist concerned;
by order require the registered dentist or registered oral health therapist concerned to give such undertaking as the Disciplinary Committee thinks fit to abstain in future from the conduct complained of; and
make such other order as the Disciplinary Committee thinks fit.
(3)
In any proceedings instituted under this Part against a registered dentist or registered oral health therapist consequent upon his conviction for a criminal offence, a Disciplinary Committee and the High Court on appeal from any order of the Disciplinary Committee shall accept his conviction as final and conclusive.
(4)
A Disciplinary Committee may under subsection (2) order the registered dentist or registered oral health therapist concerned to pay to the Council such sums as it thinks fit in respect of costs and expenses of and incidental to any proceedings before the Disciplinary Committee and, where applicable, an Interim Orders Committee.
(5)
The High Court shall have jurisdiction to tax such costs referred to in subsection (4) and any such order for costs made shall be enforceable as if it were ordered in connection with a civil action in the High Court.
(6)
The Disciplinary Committee in ordering that costs be paid by the registered dentist or registered oral health therapist under this section may certify that costs for more than one solicitor be paid if it is satisfied that the issues involved in the proceedings are of sufficient complexity, and the certification by the Disciplinary Committee shall have the same effect as if it were a certification by a Judge in a civil action in the High Court.
(7)
The costs and expenses referred to in subsection (4) shall include —
the costs and expenses of any assessor and advocate and solicitor appointed by the Council for proceedings before the Disciplinary Committee and the Interim Orders Committee;
such reasonable expenses as the Council may pay to witnesses; and
such reasonable expenses as are necessary for the conduct of proceedings before the Disciplinary Committee and the Interim Orders Committee.