Deputies endorse draft amendments to Dental Association Law

AMMAN — The Lower House on Tuesday endorsed the draft amendments to the Jordan Dental Association (JDA) Law, granting the syndicate the right to establish financial and investment funds to serve its members.

Under the 2015 amendments to the 1972 law, a central committee will be established within the JDA with certain jurisdictions aiming at enhancing the profession.

As rephrased by the Lower House Health Committee and endorsed by a majority of MPs, the law stipulates that dentists licensed to practise should keep up with the latest advancements in dental medicine and maintain a record of learning and development by attending workshops and specialised conferences in order to keep their licences valid.   

In addition, dentists can choose between subscribing to the JDA insurance or their workplace insurance, according to the bill endorsed by lawmakers.

The JDA council can terminate the membership of registered dentists if they are convicted by the judiciary or once disciplinary procedures are taken against them.

The final version of the law was drafted by the Health Committee, the Ministry of Health and the JDA.

With the endorsement of the political parties bill, the draft law on the projected Crown Prince Hussein Foundation, and the 2015 amendments to the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organisation (JSMO) Law, in addition to the amended JDA Law, the House is now expected to move on to discussing other reform-oriented laws on its agenda for the extraordinary session, as set by a Royal Decree.

These include the 2015 decentralisation and municipalities bills, the 2015 amendments to the Independent Elections Commission Law, the 2015 amendments to the Lower House’s by-laws and a code of conduct designed as checks and balances concerning MPs’ performance.

Also on the agenda are the 2002 temporary law of the national committee for international and humanitarian law and the new transparency and anti-corruption law for 2015.