At their meeting of 17 September 2021, the Board of Directors of the Council of the European Dentists (CED) examined the developments related to the European Commission’s Proposal for a Regulation on European Production and Preservation Orders for electronic evidence in criminal matters COM(2018) 225 (e-Evidence Regulation). They concluded that the draft of the Regulation as it stands violates patient privacy and presents a serious threat to the ability of dentists to abide by the principles of professional ethics and medical confidentiality which form the core of the patient-dentist relationship.

The CED fully supports the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) in their position on the draft e-Evidence Regulation as laid out in the CPME Statement. The consequences of the draft Regulation for dentists would mirror the consequences faced by the medical profession.

The CED joins the CPME in calling for an exemption to the scope of the Regulation for professions subject to professional secrecy.

The Council of European Dentists (CED) is a European not-for-profit association representing over 340,000 dental practitioners across Europe through 33 national dental associations and chambers in 31 European countries. Established in 1961 to advise the European Commission on matters relating to the dental profession, the CED aims to promote high standards on oral healthcare and dentistry with effective patient-safety centred professional practice, and to contribute to safeguarding the protection of public health. The CED is registered in the Transparency Register with the ID number 4885579968-84.