A Facebook posting by the Malaysian Private Dental Practitioners' Association (MPDPA) has got the Malaysian Dental Association (MDA) fuming with the MPDPA president.

As a result, MDA president Dr John Ting Sii Ong said in a letter to MPDPA president Dr Nedunchelian Vengu it has "withdrawn a VIP invitation” to the latter.

The letter stated: "Regret to inform you that MDA is withdrawing the VIP invitation to you as MPDPA president and also attending the welcoming ceremony of 23rd Scientific Convention and Trade Exhibition (SCATE) to avoid embarrassment to MDA."

Nedunchelian said he was shocked to receive the letter withdrawing his invitation.

MDA represents about 5,000 dentists and MPDPA has about 600 members from private dental practice.

"My council members were shocked that such a letter was sent to me and appeared like bullying the MPDPA. We cannot understand the high-handed action by MDA.

"The Facebook is our forum for members to be kept informed and I cannot understand why we cannot communicate in this day and age through social media.

"We had just reported an event in our Facebook and it was a historical event for the principal office-bearers of Malaysian Dental Dealers Association ( MDDA ) and council members of MPDPA to have a meeting on future collaboration," said Nedunchelian, adding that MPDPA was just being transparent.

Ting's letter dated Jan 8 pointed out the posting on Facebook regarding MPDPA's historic meeting.

"MDA has informed all the affiliates on Oct 11, 2015 of the MDDA's unfriendly attitude towards the 23rd SCATE and resulted in the poor participation of traders.

"Further to that, all affiliates had unanimously agreed to stand united to safeguard the best interest of the dental profession.

"The representatives of MPDPA who attended an informal meeting on Oct 11, 2015 to assist MDA on their tussle with dental traders denied any agreement to boycott the dealers.

"Furthermore, the meeting was held to safeguard the best interest of MDA and not the dental profession.

"The open declaration of collaboration between MPDPA and MDDA is therefore seen as an insult to the declaration of unity among MDA and affiliates and especially to the organising committee of 23 SCATE ," read the letter.

The Facebook post in question was a photograph of office-bearers of MPDPA and MDDA, which MDA had cut ties with.

Among others, the Facebook posting stated: "Being together with friends of dentistry is always beneficial and synergistic!"

In reply to MDA's letter, Nedunchelian said his association is a sovereign body which is answerable to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) only.

"Our decision to comment on the historical meeting is our council's decision and MDA has no right to influence in our activities. He added that the poor turnout in the upcoming 23rd SCATE is due to poor handling of the dental dealers and high conference fee.

"By withdrawing the invitation, the president of MDA failed to act in a fair manner,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ting crticised MPDPA for highlighting the issue in the media.

"We are truly saddened and disheartened by the recent action taken by MPDPA which clearly shows that MPDPA has not honoured the special privilege entrusted in them by being an appointed council member in MDA.

"The choice to go straight to the press instead of trying to settle it in-house is clearly not aimed at fostering unity but to stir up controversy for sake of publicity.

"The dispute between the MDA and the MPDPA is purely a family matter best left for the family to settle among themselves. The MDA has and will always continue to look after the interests of all her members and affiliates," he said in a statement to Malaysiakini .