International Standards and the Dental Practitioner

Abstract

The relationship between dental practice and international standards is described together with an account of the way in which standards are drafted and published. The United Kingdom participates in the process through the British Standards Institution, which is a Member Body of the International Standards Organization and the European Standards Committee. Some of the standards relevant to dental practice are quoted to demonstrate their importance. The principles of the regulatory processes used in Europe in relation to the Medical Device Directive and CE marking are discussed.