Man, 72, arrested at North Point office of mainland dental chain over suspected illegal practice
Police and the Department of Health searched a Hong Kong "consultation office" run by a mainland dental chain on King's Road, North Point, and arrested a 72-year-old local man on suspicion of practising dentistry illegally. He is reportedly not a registered dentist and is suspected of examining people's mouths with dental tools. A suspected intraoral scanner, a dental chair, instruments and a price list in RMB were seized. Under the Dentists Registration Ordinance, unlicensed practice carries up to five years in prison, or seven if a patient is injured; employers of unlicensed staff face up to three years. The case is under investigation and no one has been convicted.
What it means for you
A "free check-up" or "mouth scan" in Hong Kong is not necessarily done by a registered dentist. Any dental examination in Hong Kong should be carried out by a dentist registered here.
Editors' take: the background
Examining people's mouths is generally part of dental practice, which in Hong Kong must be done by a registered dentist. If an unregistered person examines people's mouths at a Hong Kong "consultation office" run by a mainland clinic, that may breach the Dentists Registration Ordinance.
Mainland dentists are regulated where they practise, and Hong Kong authorities generally cannot handle problems with treatment given outside Hong Kong. So before any check-up in Hong Kong, ask whether the person is a Hong Kong registered dentist.
How to protect yourself
- Ask for the person's name and check it on the Dental Council register
- Be extra careful when a free scan leads to a sales pitch for treatment across the border
- Report anything suspicious to the Department of Health or police
Source: HK01
This is a news summary written by our editors, not medical advice. Please refer to the original source and seek professional advice for your own situation.
Questions readers ask
I had a free scan in Hong Kong and treatment is planned in Shenzhen. What should I watch for?
Check that whoever examined you in Hong Kong is a Hong Kong registered dentist, get the treatment plan, price and treating dentist in writing, and remember that problems must be pursued on the mainland.
What are the penalties for unlicensed dentistry?
Under the Dentists Registration Ordinance, up to five years in prison, or seven if a patient is injured; employers of unlicensed staff face up to three years.
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