The purpose of this letter concerns the recent spate of reports and comments on illegal dentistry, including orthodontics.

The prime objective of the Malaysian Dental Association (MDA)  is to promote the art and science of dentistry for the benefit of the public. We are always working with all stakeholders to ensure that the public is well served.

In order to protect the public from unsafe, risky and often painful results of quack dentistry, the Malaysian Dental Association supports fully the action of the courts in meting out heavy fines, and even imprisonment, upon illegal, quack dentists and hope that it will act as a strong deterrent.

We are deeply concerned that the public is protected from such scams and do not suffer from such practices which can be painful, risky due to the possibility of being infected with dangerous diseases like HIV and hepatitis, and eventually suffer costs far more than expected in order to correct the dental damage.

Helpful guidelines

The following guidelines to identify legitimate licensed dental clinics from illegal ones may be helpful:

  • All licensed dental clinics have fixed addresses and each one will possess a licence from the Health Ministry. Illegal dentistry is usually performed without a fixed address, in temporary places like hotel rooms, houses, coffee shops and even on the streets.
     
  • Any quoted prices that seem too low and seem like a bargain not to be missed should be immediately suspect and checked thoroughly. The public can always call a local dental clinic, walk into one and make inquiries concerning prices.
     
  • When in doubt, don't commit yourselves to uncertainties, get more information first. We do understand our mouths are very sensitive and personal and often would like to keep it private, but when the stakes are so high, it is wiser to consult with family and friends who care for and love you.

We also note that comments not only spoken against unregistered, unqualified quack dentists which are well justified, but an opportunity was also taken to attack qualified dentists who are practising within their professional training and rights.

Quacks and qualified dentists should not be painted with the same brush. It is helpful to note that the International Federation of Dentists, which represents more than 200 nations around the world, in its policy statement on Basic Dental Education states, by consensus, that:

"The primary aim of dental education is to ensure that competent dentists are capable of critical thinking, possess the necessary clinical skills and the willingness for lifelong learning.

"The new dentist should be able to carry out any kind of dental practice without harm to patients using modern, appropriate, effective and currently accepted methods of treatment."

In line with this, members of the profession are always reminded to practice dentistry within their capabilities, to seek opinions and advice from peers and mentors and to refer to the Malaysian Dental Association when necessary.

Qualified dentists, by international consensus and also by Malaysian laws, are free to practise any kind of dental practice, including orthodontics, responsibly, while quacks have no basis at all and no party should irresponsibly equate one with the other.

The Malaysian Dental Association wants to assure the public that there are sufficient regulations to ensure that only dentists who are duly qualified and registered by the authorities are free to practise any kind of dental practice, including orthodontics, and that in line with our membership of the FDI, will continue to work towards encouraging continuing professional education in the latest skills and knowledge and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Public statements on dentistry by dentists should be made responsibly, without being self-promoting and being careful not to afflict upon the public undue fears and negative perceptions of the profession.

Any leader of the profession must be especially careful because what they say may be misunderstood or misquoted. We hope this letter will inform the public and allay undue fears and anxieties due to unwonted and inaccurate information.

DR CHOW KAI FOO is president of the Malaysian Dental Association.