Association Bylaws

Article 1

The name of the Association is the Specialist Association of Taiwan Special Care Dentistry (hereinafter referred to as “the Association”). The English name is The Specialist Association of Taiwan Special Care Dentistry.

Article 3

The organizational jurisdiction of the Association covers all administrative regions of the nation.

Article 5

The missions of the Association are as follows:
1. To promote and develop scientific research and education related to special care dentistry.
2. To organize academic seminars and conferences related to special care dentistry.
3. To study and develop laws and regulations pertaining to special care dentistry.
4. To publish scientific journals and educational materials on care for persons with special needs.
5. To facilitate and promote international academic exchanges in the field.
6. To conduct board certification, accreditation of training institutions, and training programs for specialists in special care dentistry.
7. To cooperate with government agencies in promoting related tasks and assigned duties.
8. To apply for or accept government and related organizations’ research or evaluation projects.
9. To research, develop, and test oral hygiene equipment and supplies related to the care of persons with special needs.
10. To analyze and promote the rationalization of medical environments for oral care of persons with special needs domestically.
11. To undertake other matters consistent with the Association’s objectives and constitution.

Article 7

Members of the Association are classified into three categories:
Those who endorse the Association’s mission and have experience in promoting special care dentistry, oral hygiene, and health promotion are eligible to join.
• Regular Members: Dentists qualified under national regulations, approved by the Board of Directors and who have paid membership dues.
• Honorary Members:
Individuals who have made significant contributions or achievements in promoting special care dentistry or oral health, approved by the Board of Directors.
• International Members: Qualified dentists from outside the country who have made significant contributions or achievements in the relevant field, who apply and are approved by the Board of Directors.

Article 9

Regular members are obligated to comply with the constitution, resolutions, and pay membership dues. Members who fail to pay dues shall forfeit membership rights. Failure to pay dues for two consecutive years shall be considered voluntary withdrawal. Members who resign, withdraw, or are suspended must settle any outstanding dues before applying for reinstatement, which is subject to Board approval.

Article 11

Membership termination occurs under the following conditions:
1. Submission of a resignation approved by the Board of Directors;
2. Loss of membership qualifications;要
3. Expulsion by resolution of the general assembly.

Article 13

The general assembly is the highest authority of the Association. When membership exceeds 300, representatives may be elected proportionally by district to convene a representative assembly exercising the powers of the general assembly. Member terms last three years. The number of seats and election procedures shall be proposed by the Board and submitted to the competent authority for approval.

Article 15

The Association shall have fifteen directors and five supervisors elected by regular members, forming the Board of Directors and Board of Supervisors respectively. In director and supervisor elections, three alternate directors and one alternate supervisor may be elected based on vote counts to fill vacancies in order. The current Board may propose a candidate list for the next term. Directors and supervisors may be elected by postal ballot, but not consecutively. Postal election procedures must be approved by the Board and reported to the competent authority.

Article 17

The Board of Directors shall consist of five Executive Directors elected by the directors themselves. Among the Executive Directors, one shall be elected as the Chairperson of the Board.
The Chairperson is responsible for overseeing and directing the Association’s affairs internally and represents the Association externally. The Chairperson shall also preside over the General Assembly and the Board meetings.
If the Chairperson is unable to perform their duties, they shall designate an Executive Director to act on their behalf. If no designation is made or possible, the Executive Directors shall elect one among themselves to serve as acting Chairperson.
Vacancies in the Chairperson or Executive Directors positions must be filled by by-election within one month.

Article 19

The Supervisory Board shall have one Executive Supervisor elected by the Supervisors themselves, who oversees daily affairs of the Supervisory Board and serves as its Chairperson.
If the Executive Supervisor is unable to perform their duties, a Supervisor shall be designated to act on their behalf. If no designation is made or possible, the Supervisors shall elect one among themselves to act as Chairperson.
Vacancies in the Chairperson (Executive Supervisor) position must be filled by by-election within one month.

Article 21

Directors or Supervisors shall be immediately removed from office if they meet any of the following conditions:
1. Loss of membership qualifications.
2. Resignation approved by the Board of Directors or Supervisory Board.
3. Removal or recall.
4. Suspension lasting for more than half of their term.

Article 23

The Association may establish various committees, working groups, or other internal organizations. Their organizational rules shall be implemented upon approval by the Board of Directors and subject to the same process for amendments.

Article 25

The General Assembly consists of regular meetings and extraordinary meetings, convened by the Chairperson. Except for emergency extraordinary meetings, notices must be given in writing at least fifteen days prior to the meeting.
Regular meetings are held once annually. Extraordinary meetings may be convened when deemed necessary by the Board of Directors, upon request by one-fifth or more of the members, or upon request from the Supervisory Board.
After legal entity registration, extraordinary meetings can also be convened upon the request of at least one-tenth of the members.

Article 27

Resolutions of the General Assembly require a majority of attending members and approval by a majority of those present. However, the following matters require approval by at least two-thirds of attending members:
1. Adoption and amendments of the constitution.
2. Expulsion of members.
3. Recall of Directors or Supervisors.
4. Disposal of assets.
5. Dissolution of the Association.
6. Other major matters related to member rights and obligations.
After legal entity registration, amendments to the constitution require approval by at least three-fourths of attending members or two-thirds of all members by written consent.
The Association may be dissolved at any time with approval by at least two-thirds of all members.

Article 29

Directors are required to attend Board meetings, and Supervisors are required to attend Supervisory Board meetings. Neither Board members nor Supervisors may appoint proxies to attend on their behalf. Absence without cause for two consecutive meetings shall be deemed resignation.

Article 31

The Association’s fiscal year is based on the calendar year, starting January 1 and ending December 31.

Article 33

Upon dissolution of the Association, any remaining assets shall be transferred to the local government or an organization designated by the competent authority.

Article 35

This Constitution shall take effect upon approval by the General Assembly and registration with the competent authority. Amendments shall follow the same procedure.