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Dentists Act 1984
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Changes over time for: Section 39
Changes to legislation:
Dentists Act 1984, Section 39 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 06 March 2025. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes to Legislation
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Changes and effects yet to be applied to Section 39:
- s. 27(2)(ba) inserted by S.I. 2015/806 art. 17
- s. 27A(5)(aa) inserted by S.I. 2015/806 art. 18(3)
- s. 27BA inserted by S.I. 2015/806 art. 19
- s. 36N(2)(ba) inserted by S.I. 2015/806 art. 24
- s. 36O(5)(aa) inserted by S.I. 2015/806 art. 25(3)
- s. 36PA inserted by S.I. 2015/806 art. 26
Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
- s. 27(2)(ba) inserted by S.I. 2015/806 art. 17
- s. 27A(5)(aa) inserted by S.I. 2015/806 art. 18(3)
- s. 27BA inserted by S.I. 2015/806 art. 19
- s. 36N(2)(ba) inserted by S.I. 2015/806 art. 24
- s. 36O(5)(aa) inserted by S.I. 2015/806 art. 25(3)
- s. 36PA inserted by S.I. 2015/806 art. 26
39 Prohibition on use of practitioners’ titles by laymen.U.K.
[F1(1)A person shall not take or use the title of dentist, dental surgeon or dental practitioner, either alone or in combination with any other word, unless he is a registered dentist F2....]
(2)No person shall take or use any title or description implying that he is a registered dentist unless he is a registered dentist.
[F3(2A)A person who is not a registered dental care professional shall not take or use any title specified in regulations under section 36A(2), either alone or in combination with any other word.
(2B)No person shall take or use any title or description implying that he is a registered dental care professional unless he is a registered dental care professional.]
(3)Any person who acts in contravention of this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding the fifth level on the standard scale.
Textual Amendments
F1S. 39(1) substituted (coming into force in accordance with art. 1(4)-(7) of the amending S.I. (see the London Gazette, issue nos. 57734, 57975, 58050 and 58769, dated respectively 19.8.2005, 5.6.2006, 21.7.2006 and 18.7.2008)) by The Dentists Act 1984 (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2011), art. 36(a) (with Sch. 7) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2006/1671)
F2Words in s. 39(1) omitted (3.12.2007) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3101), regs. 1(2), 128
F3S. 39(2A)(2B) inserted (coming into force in accordance with art. 1(4)-(7) of the amending S.I. (see the London Gazette, issue nos. 57734, 57975, 58050 and 58769, dated respectively 19.8.2005, 5.6.2006, 21.7.2006 and 18.7.2008)) by The Dentists Act 1984 (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2011), art. 36(b) (with Sch. 7) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2006/1671)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 39(2A) excluded (31.7.2006) by The General Dental Council (Professions Complementary to Dentistry) Regulations Order of Council 2006 (S.I. 2006/1440), reg. 1(1), Sch. reg. 5
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