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ePaper created 2018-02-16, 11:39:59 | version 1.38.0
NOVEMBER2017 illegal practice of Dentistry Illegal practice of Dentistry is truly an occurrence that saddens the entire dental community, as the business of fake Dentistry is spreading day by day through more and more creative means, the general public is put in greater danger as time goes by. A white coat, no matter how prestigious- looking, is never enough proof of being a legitimate health care provider in whatever community, whatever city, and whatever country, and when this happens, there are always wretched consequences. While the legal definition of a certified dentist varies per territory, the common denominators include obtaining a dental degree obtained from a qualified dental school, and adequate registration from a government branch that regulates the practice of Dentistry in the given area. There are plenty of reasons why someone would start an illegal dental practice some of them might have wanted to be dentists but were unable to receive a degree and proper training and some might have received legitimate trainings but were not able to graduate or pass certification exams and others might be certified dentists incapable of sustaining a dental clinic adhering to the standards required by the state, greed certainly plays a role as its definitely cheaper to use expired or low quality material or skipping maintenance and infection control, some might even go as far as passing on renting a place all together in favor of running their illegal practice from their homes. Illegal practitioners fail to satisfy the requirements stated, and when this happens, this compromises the quality of dental care rendered to a patient, often resulting to aggravation of existing dental diseases, creation of dental diseases that were previously not present. Dental diseases may also be worsened to a point in which they are unmanageable by fake practitioners, ultimately resulting to greater financial burdens to the patients in the long run. Infection control, or the lack thereof, is a serious concern. Many illegal practitioners fail to adhere to the basic concepts of asepsis and infection control. Often, even the basic protocols such as the utilization of personal protective equipment, such as gloves, masks, and the like are neglected. General infection control practices such as cleaning of surroundings, sterilization of instruments, and disinfection of the operatory may be compromised, therefore increasing the chances of contracting dangerous infections such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Tuberculosis, and HIV. By neglecting standard aseptic protocols, fake dentists not only endanger their patients, but themselves, as well. The methods that illegal practitioners are able to attract clients have crossed the line between creative and downright charlatan. Ways are varied as some set up legitimate-looking clinics to fool patients, some rely on word of mouth, possibly by paid middle, and some rely on social media to advertise their products and services, some patients might suspect the legitimacy of the dental practice and some might even be aware of the lawfulness of these places but the patients might be unable to afford receiving treatment at a proper clinic they would compromise under the promise of cheap treatments, sometimes due to lack of awareness on the patients behalf they would assume that the high standards of legal practices are arbitrary so there would be no consequences to receiving treatment in these places. The most popular services tend to be fake orthodontic treatment, commonly advertised as DIY braces, or fashion braces. Common targets include younger patients, as well as the less- educated from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Illegal practice ranges from misdemeanor to felony offenses and practitioners if convicted would be subject to huge fines per account for misdemeanor and might even face jail time in cases of felony offenses as well as suspension of their licenses. Notable cases Many cases of illegal practice have gained significant attention in social media in their respective countries, also angering the global dental community. In April of 2016, a 21-year-old so- called YouTube-trained dentist from Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, gained a steady stream of customers from offering dental services mainly tooth fillings and orthodontic treatment. Apart from her YouTube training, she was said to have also gained tips from her friends. She ran her clinic from a hotel room, which was raided by authorities, leading to her arrest. As reported in late August, a 12-year- old boy in Oued Laou in Northern Morocco was said to have had an acute infection of bacterial origin in the blood, followed by a haemorrhage, after having a tooth removed by a dental prosthesist passing himself off as a dentist. This bacterial infection resulted in the boy's death. In the Philippines, a woman was arrested in an entrapment operation in Calabanga, Camarines Sur in early October for running an unlicensed dental practice. This person, though trained in dentistry, is not certified to practice after failing the licensure examination, which is a must for those who intend to practice dentistry in the Philippines. Protecting the public While it may be challenging to fight the battle against illegal practice, it is not a hopeless cause. The key to protect the public is by raising awareness, and by increasing vigilance in the community setting. The dental community, through all its ways and means can afford to be more engaging so as to lead them to the qualified practitioners. The battle will be a difficult one, but our patients safety and well-being will always be worth fighting for. By Esraa Mohamed, Corine Honrado. 1