KUALA LUMPUR: Many bogus dentists arrested by authorities previously worked as clinic assistants, dental lab technicians or picked up skills through online videos.
Driven by ignorance, greed, and the pursuit of praise, they impersonated dental professionals.
Associate Professor Dr Mohd Haikal Muhamad Halil, dean of the Kulliyyah of Dentistry at the International Islamic University Malaysia, said many of them believed that technical experience could replace formal education.
“It’s worrying when people without proper knowledge take on professional roles.
“It can lead to severe consequences, ranging from serious infections to permanent disfigurement.
“Treatments such as teeth whitening, veneers or braces are in high demand.
“To capitalise on this, they offer lower prices than legitimate clinics, since they operate without licence fees, proper equipment or certified training.
“They also know how to create a ‘professional’ image on social media — wearing white coats, setting up fake clinic backgrounds, and posting fabricated testimonials.”
Haikal said that these fake dentists often perform procedures in houses, rented rooms, beauty salons or public toilets.
He said that dental procedures are far more complex than fillings and extractions.
They require a deep understanding of anatomy, pharmacology, microbiology and patient safety, he added.
“At institutions like IIUM, dental students undergo at least five years of study before they can practice, followed by rigorous graduate training,” he said.
A 76-year-old man was recently found to be operating as an unlicensed dentist.
Law Chin Min @ Law Kim Gu was arrested and fined RM66,000 by the Kulim Sessions Court in Kedah for performing illegal dental services.
Judge Mirza Mohamad handed down the sentence after Law pleaded guilty to two charges under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 and the Dental Act 2018.
Each offence carries a maximum fine of RM300,000 or up to six years’ imprisonment.
Law was apprehended after a team from the Kedah Health Department, led by Dr Ahmad Fadhil Mohamad Shahidi, raided his premises on Jalan Lunas, Padang Serai.
The raid was conducted after surveillance showed that Law was running a dental practice at a location not registered as a private dental clinic.
During the raid, Law was caught providing dental consultation to a male customer in a treatment room.
Authorities discovered dental tools and materials used for treatment procedures.
Judge Mirza sentenced Law to a fine of RM33,000 or seven months’ imprisonment for each charge if he fails to pay.
The case was prosecuted by Health Ministry officer Izwan Abd Hamid.
In a separate case, a woman, in her 20s was arrested for operating as a bogus dentist recently.
She had been providing dental services at a premises in Taman Puchong Prima, Selangor, for some time.
Earlier, the Pahang Health Department raided an unregistered private dental clinic operated by an unqualified individual in Kelantan.
Investigations revealed the illegal clinic had been operating out of a village home since 2020, run by a woman in her 20s, offering services such as fitting braces.
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