Article 38

General Rule

1. Professional solidarity is a fundamental duty of dentists, who must behave with utmost politeness and civility, encouraging each other's trust and cooperation, for the sake of their patients.

2. Class solidarity shall never let professional interests stand above the interests of the patients and the defence of public health.

Article 39

Moral Support

Dentists owe one another moral support, such as in the following cases:

a) assume the defence of a colleague who may be deprived of it;

b) avoid personal aggressions or demeaning allusions about a colleague;

c) abstain from making public statements about a colleague¿s skill or methods.

Article 40

Public Assertions

Dentists shall not make public assertions about a treatment that, to their knowledge, is being used by a colleague, except in his or her presence or with his or her consent.

Article 41

Referral of Patients

1. The dentist shall ask for the collaboration of a colleague or refer a patient to a more qualified professional, whenever he or she considers that this is the best safeguard of the patient¿s interests.

2. When a dentist attends a patient referred to him or her by a colleague in the ambit of a specific collaboration, he or she shall send the patient back once the requested intervention has been completed.

Article 42

Change of Dentist

1. Except in emergency situations, the dentist agreeing to treat a patient who has been in a colleague¿s care may communicate this fact to the previous dentist, explaining, orally or in written form, the reasons for his decision.

2. The dentist shall do his or her best to persuade the patient to pay any fees or other expenses due to the previous dentist.

Article 43

Leading Patients Away

Any actions with the purpose of leading patients away from a colleague are strictly forbidden.