[Disciplinary action and its degree of implementation].

The aim of disciplinary action against dental practitioners is to uphold professional standards, to protect the safety of the patients and to maintain public confidence in the profession. Disciplinary action against dentists in Israel is based on the Dentists' Ordinance of 1979. The main principle behind disciplinary action is trial by peers, which in effect means that the profession upholds the required standards. Seven examples are mentioned in the law for which the Ministry of Health can reprimand or suspend the license of a dentist permanently or for a limited period of time. The panel for disciplinary action consists of three judges: one lawyer and two dentists--one (the chairman) represents the General Director of the Ministry of Health, the other represents the Israel Dental Association. This article deals with the form of legal discussion, types of punishment and their limitations as interpreted by the authors. All 26 complaint files presented to the disciplinary committees between 1997-2002 that were concluded are discussed. The accusations, as well as the verdicts, are listed.