Dental Council ethical review

 

THE DENTAL Council has launched a probe into the much-publicised case of a dentist who allegedly passed on a huge financial burden for studying at a university overseas to guarantors after breaching her scholarship contract. 

If the probe finds evidence Dr Dolrudee Jumronglas did wrong, the Dental Council will also raise the issue with Harvard University, her current employer. 

“Ethical issues deserve attention from all,” council president Toranin Charascharungkiat said yesterday. 

Toranin said action was being taken against Dolrudee in response to widespread reports that she had received a government scholarship to pursue postgraduate studies at Harvard University but violated its terms after her graduation. The case whipped up a storm of criticism among social media users after one of her guarantors revealed that he had to pay more than Bt2 million in compensation for her breach of contract while she was living “the good life” in the United States. 

Toranin said the Dental Council had yesterday instructed its subcommittee on professional ethics to investigate Dolrudee. 

“The subcommittee will seek information from her four guarantors and also her.” He said that Dolrudee was likely be summoned to appear before the panel before the end of the month. 

“If she neither shows up to testify nor submits an explanation over the allegations, we shall deem she has forfeited her right to defend herself,” he said. 

Toranin added that if the probe found evidence of ethical breaches, the Dental Council would punish Dolrudee.

“Punishments range from reprimands to the revocation of her licence to provide dental care in Thailand,” he said. 

Her licence could also be revoked if the subcommittee found Dolrudee’s actions damaged the dignity and reputation of the dentistry profession. 

In related news, the Office of Civil Service Commission (OCSC) and the National Economic and Social Development Board are among some 20 state agencies that will today discuss scholarship conditions as well as measures to be taken against those who violate the contracts. 

“In light of Dolrudee’s case, they will also discuss issues related to guarantors,” Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said yesterday.

OCSC deputy secretary general ML Patcharapakorn Devakula revealed recently her office plans to give more protection to guarantors. 

“For example, we should take all legal action possible against contract violators before taking action against guarantors,” she said. 

Several government agencies offer scholarships to applicants on condition they return to serve in the Thai civil service for a term at least double the time covered by their scholarship studies. Those who violate such contracts are required to pay compensation of three times what their scholarship studies cost. 

“We have to set such conditions as we aim to get knowledgeable and capable people for the country. Those who take the scholarships are told of the conditions in advance too,” Patcharapakorn said.