Hiring unlicensed staff for dental work is also a crime, authorities say; 13 joint operations, 7 prosecuted
The Department of Health and the Health Bureau said unlicensed dental practice is a criminal offence and that employers who hire unlicensed people for dental work also commit an offence. Since early last year, the department and police have carried out 13 joint operations and prosecuted seven people; from 2021 to 2025, 20 cases were prosecuted under the Dentists Registration Ordinance, with 19 convictions. Dental services outside Hong Kong are not regulated by local law, but adverts published in Hong Kong must follow the Undesirable Medical Advertisements Ordinance.
What it means for you
The figures show unlicensed dentistry is not a one-off. If something goes wrong outside Hong Kong, local authorities cannot act, so complaints must go through the other side.
Editors' take: the background
Under the Dentists Registration Ordinance only registered dentists may practise dentistry in Hong Kong. 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.
Dental treatment outside Hong Kong is not governed by Hong Kong law, but medical adverts published in Hong Kong must follow the Undesirable Medical Advertisements Ordinance. In other words, the cross-border adverts you see here are regulated, but problems with the treatment itself must be pursued where it happened.
How to protect yourself
- Only registered dentists may practise dentistry in Hong Kong
- Problems after treatment outside Hong Kong must be pursued there
- Be wary of exaggerated adverts
Source: RTHK (Department of Health / Health Bureau)
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
If treatment across the border goes wrong, what can Hong Kong do?
Hong Kong authorities generally cannot handle disputes about treatment outside Hong Kong; these go through local health authorities or complaint channels there. You can still get complications treated in Hong Kong; bring your records, X-rays and receipts.
How do I know if a dental advert breaks the law?
The Undesirable Medical Advertisements Ordinance covers medical adverts published in Hong Kong. If in doubt, ask or report to the Department of Health.
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