PDA issues warning about fake dentists

CEBU, Philippines - Local officials of the Philippine Dental Association (PDA) in Cebu tells the public to be wary of fake dentists as their bogus oral care services may only worsen the patient’s dental problem.

Complaints of poor services and even about people allegedly posing as dentists had been making rounds in social media to which PDA-Cebu Chapter Vice President Dr. Felix Asoy had confirmed to be a current problem.

“There are several same complaints already… We know it has gone rampant. It has been a problem and we are trying to educate the public, not to entertain or patronize those kinds of business,” he told reporters in a radio-live forum held in Cebu City earlier this month.

February is not only observed as Love Month but also marked by health authorities as Dental Health Month.

Asoy, also a dentist by profession, agreed that is it appropriate to rebuke people claiming as dentists by sending the case to court rather than venting about the matter online.

He learned that some “fake” dentists are performing tooth extractions and making dentures and offering these services at cheaper costs.

“People may not know its effects… Placing dental braces will surely damage your teeth, instead of aligning them, especially if the one putting it is not an expert or not a professional,” said Asoy.

Asoy said the association may lodge a complaint formally before the court against these “fake” dentists in behalf of the victimized patients. However, he lamented over the slow and inefficient judiciary system here in the country.

“We can file however, here in the Philippines, those fake dentists can still counter by defending themselves. There were tooth extraction cases when we filed a complaint but it will take years to prosecute them. Because it is in the law that you (respondents) are entitled to your own lawyer and we do know the problem on our judiciary system,” he explained.

Asoy said some patients initially intended to file a case but later on withdrew after the problem is settled amicably.

He admitted they are experiencing difficulties in keeping up with the number of complaints they receive while pursuing legal proceedings seem to be time-consuming.

To prevent circumstances from worsening,  Asoy advised the public to always check if the dental clinic is authorized to operate and verify if the person they are seeking service from is listed under the roster of licensed dentists in the country. (FREEMAN)