Dental Health Magazine Dental Health Magazine Issue 8 | Page 48

Issue #8, December 2017
48
FAKE
DENTISTRY
Fake dentistry has become a hot issue in the country recently when an individual
who reportedly learned to practice orthodontic treatment from YouTube, was
arrested and subsequently released.
Fake dentist, street dentist, Tukang Gigi, unlicensed dentists have been found
not only in Malaysia but thought out the world. In India, street dentist performed
complicated dental procedure on patient using medieval equipment. There
is no clinic, no chair, no electric drills, patient just sit on a stool and hope the
‘dentist’ will solve their dental problem. Patient is taking a huge risk where
the tweezers and pliers are never sterilized, only wash in disinfectant. Here, in
Malaysia, there are fake dentists wandering in the market providing quick fix of
missing tooth, the denture. The Malaysian Dental Association even released a
statement warning the public to take this seriously “ Among the many negative
impacts of seeking services from fake dentists include complications that are
not only unmanageable by the fake dentists but rendering the disease even
more complicated to treat, and may incur higher cost.” “Infection control is
often compromised and the risks of contracting a dangerous infection such HIV,
Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and probably airborne diseases such as Tuberculosis
not only poses a threat to the patients but also to the fake dentists themselves. “ 
The perception that dentistry skills can just be self learned online is dangerous
and irresponsible.   Dentistry is a medical profession, the knowledge learned
from websites is always insufficient. Dentistry is not only treating the teeth but
attending the patient as a whole, especially those with medical compromised
patients. Dental procedure requires an understanding of how teeth work, of safe
dental materials and practices and there’s also the maintenance and aftercare
to consider. Social media has become a haven for advertising dangerous
products and services where there is no safety certification but merely rely on
testimonials.
Article By
Dr. Goh Sze Harn
DDS (UKM)
The general public needs to carefully look for a practitioner who is legally
registered with the Malaysian Dental Council. The dentist should have a current
year Annual Practising Certificate displayed in the clinic. The ignorance of the
public will help the rise of the unlicensed dentists. Shouldn’t it will ring the bell
when a dentist asked for a charges that sounds too good to be true? Shouldn’t it
seems weird that a dentist treat a patient in the market, in the hotel? The issue
of fake dentist will continue as long as there is public demand for it. Why put
your health at risk when you can find a registered dentist that is dedicated to
improve your smile?