The Department of Health announced today (April 11) that for the first time since the definition of “practising dentist” under the Dentists Registration Ordinance (Cap. 156) was updated, a non-registered dentist was arrested for allegedly using an intraoral scanner to obtain digital impressions and prescribe clear aligners.
The Police and the Department of Health yesterday (April 10) conducted a joint enforcement operation in a commercial building in Tsim Sha Tsui against a non-registered dentist who was suspected of using an intraoral scanner to obtain digital impressions of another person and prescribing clear aligners to another person. During the operation, a 33-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly practicing as a non-registered dentist.
The definition of “practising dentist” in the Dentists Ordinance has been updated since January 1 this year. The Dentists Ordinance clearly stipulates that only registered dentists can provide the services listed in the definition of practicing dentists in Schedule 2, including using intraoral scanners to obtain digital impressions for others, and providing the following services to others:
Performing teeth bleaching or teeth whitening procedures;
Prescribing transparent aligners;
And performing dental veneer surgery.
Any person who is not a registered dentist and attempts to provide the above services is guilty of an offence. Upon summary conviction, he may be fined at level 6 and imprisoned for 3 years; upon conviction upon indictment, he may be imprisoned for 5 years.
The Department of Health reminds the public that in order to protect their own health, they should not patronize unregistered dentists. Before choosing dental services, the public can browse the list of registered dentists published on the website of the Dental Council of Hong Kong to verify the qualifications of the service provider. If in doubt, avoid receiving such services to ensure safety.
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