Four cases of illegal brace fitting recorded since 2015 in Terengganu

Its director, Dr Mohammad Omar said the first case was recorded in 2015 involving a woman and she was fined RM20,000, followed by another case last year, also involving a woman who was fined RM25,000.

"This year, we detected two cases in which one of them was brought to court while the suspect in another case fled abroad while waiting for a hearing date in court.

"We have been working with the Immigration Department to trace the suspect's whereabouts and the suspect will be subjected to appropriate punishment upon returning to Malaysia," he told reporters after opening the state level World Oral Health Day celebration here today.

Dr Mohammad said the modus operandi of the unlicensed dentists was to carry out the brace fitting services at a hotel room or homestay at a fraction of the price charged by licensed dentists.

"They advertised the dental brace fitting services illegally through social media, namely Facebook and Instagram. If the customers are interested, they will be in touch via Whatsapp application to make an appointment.

"Most of them do not have any background in dentistry, some just study brace fitting from YouTube and friends," he said, adding that adverse effects could occur such as infection, mouth ulcers, dental caries, gum abscess and tooth loss as a result of seeking such services.

Those with information on illegally practising dentists should lodge a report with the Oral Health Division at tel 09-6226028 for further action.