Abstract:
This study was done in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the Committee of Preliminary Inquiry of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), with specific reference to maxillo-facial and oral surgery. An investigation was done at the legal department of the HPCSA regarding complaints that were lodged against Maxillo-Facial and Oral surgeons for various claims of alleged unprofessional conduct. Furthermore, a study was conducted to determine the legal framework in which this committee is supposed to function. The purpose of this study is to offer ethically and legally justifiable recommendations to the current investigative system of the Committee of Preliminary Inquiry (PRELIM).
