Minnesota Dental Jurisprudence Practice Exam

Is it acceptable for a dentist to send out a flier to promote their dental practice with their educational credentials?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Only if it is approved by the Board

4. Only if it’s printed in a local publication

The correct answer is: Yes

In Minnesota, it is acceptable for a dentist to send out a flier to promote their dental practice that includes their educational credentials. This is because advertising that shares information about a dentist's qualifications, including their degrees and training, serves to inform potential patients about the dentist’s expertise and can help build trust in the services offered. Such promotional materials are a common practice in the healthcare field, as they can provide valuable context to patients about the qualifications of the provider they may choose for their dental care. As long as the advertisements are not misleading and do not violate any ethical guidelines set forth by the dental board, including making unsubstantiated claims about outcomes and services, including educational credentials is permitted. Options suggesting that approval is needed or that publication in a local outlet is required imply unnecessary restrictions, as the ethical guidelines focus more on the content's truthfulness and not on obtaining prior consent or limiting the medium of distribution. Thus, promoting one’s qualifications is generally supported within the profession as part of ethical marketing practices.