(By Dr. Joseph D. Lim and Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI)
AN EVER-expanding need and demand for dental care, oral health and esthetics worldwide has resulted in an exponential rise in the value of the dental market.
This has led to a significant increase in individuals or companies who wish to exploit this market.
Some of these providers take a solely commercial approach with less emphasis on professional ethics and patients’ well-being. In many cases, activities are provided by individuals with minimal or no training in dentistry.
The above statement comes from the World Dental Federation, often shortened to FDI (for its original name in French, Fédération Dentaire Internationale).
The FDI, based in Switzerland, is the world’s leading organization representing the dental profession. It serves as the principal representative body for over one million dentists worldwide, including members of the Philippine Dental Association.
In 2021, the FDI General Assembly in Vienna, Austria, issued a policy statement on illegal dentistry, noting that illegal practitioners may argue that they are not providing a health service but a purely cosmetic service and therefore are not required to adhere to healthcare regulations.
The policy statement defines the term “illegal practice of dentistry” as the “Provision of any oral care by individuals or organizations not specifically trained, licensed, registered and regulated to do so as defined in the appropriate local or national legislation.”
It observes that the “Provision of such treatments puts patients at risk of inappropriate treatment and irreversible damage to their oral and general health and may deny them the chance of appropriate redress.
“Through professional self-regulation and government regulation where it exists, dentists and their teams subscribe to professional ethical codes and standards, which ensure the provision of quality and safe patient-centered care.
“This assures patients seeking treatment that their care will be provided by trained, knowledgeable and skilled individuals who will provide a comprehensive examination, full diagnosis, treatment plan including options and details of treatment, taking into account all necessary clinical aspects and after obtaining informed consent.
“It also ensures that, where treatment is not successful, the patient has access to some form of complaint system or redress through the professional’s insurance arrangements or licensing authority.
The policy statement highlights patient protection issues and calls for national authorities to stop individuals and/or organizations from providing dental treatments if they are not authorized and appropriately registered to do so or licensed by a recognized body.
It does not make specific suggestions about how this should be done as this will be dependent on national or local regulatory systems.
It does state the principles behind public safety: “Patients need to be confident that any dental care they seek is provided only by professionals who are appropriately trained, licensed and regulated.”
It rests on professional ethics that dentists and dental team members should follow professional standards.
Self-regulation demands that dentists and dental team members should be well-trained, ethical, competent and appropriately indemnified to serve the public. Dentists are academically trained and qualified health professionals providing a full range of oral healthcare and dental services to their patients.
Patients receiving treatment from unregistered and unqualified providers are at significant risk when irreversible procedures are being performed. This risk might also include the use of unregulated or illegal materials that may be harmful.
When providers operate outside the regulatory system, patients may be left with permanent damage to their oral health, general health and personal well-being.
Patients may not be aware that they have been treated by untrained and unregulated individuals, which can lead to a decline of public trust in the dental profession.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; Member, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com./PN
