Dental News - Malaysian Dental Bill 2017 proposes stricter regulation of dentistry

Dental Tribune International

Tue. 12. December 2017

save

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Malaysia’s new Dental Bill 2017, which had its first reading in Parliament on 27 November, will see significant changes made to the regulation of the dental profession and the organisational structure of the dental workforce. Among other measures, the bill aims to appoint the Malaysian Dental Council and the Malaysian Dental Therapist Board to control and regulate the profession. The existing dental council, established under the Dental Act of 1971, will consequently be dissolved.

Originally the intention was to only amend the Dental Act 1971, but due to the many amendments that were proposed, it was decided that it was necessary to table a new law altogether. The proposed bill allows for more effective regulation of dentistry, puts stricter disciplinary procedures in place for dental professionals and introduces fees and charges for registration and licensing.

Only accredited and registered dental surgeons, from both the public and private sector, who have been practicing as dental surgeons for at least seven years in Malaysia would represent the newly-proposed Dental Council. The council will have the power to approve or reject the registration applications of dental practitioners and specialists. The Dental Therapist Board will register and issue certificates to dental therapists and post-graduate dental therapists based on the conditions and restrictions of the new law and will be responsible for regulating the registration examinations and ethical and professional conduct of the professionals in the group.

The imminent revision of the regulatory framework comes as no surprise, as the country has seen a string of incidents related to fake dentistry practices and persons delivering dental services and treatments without valid licensing. In this regard, the Dental Bill 2017 aims to ensure the safety of dental patients and maintain high standards of dentistry in the country. The proposed law will also empower the council and the board to conduct disciplinary proceedings and impose punishment on their members who violate the conditions and terms that are set out in the bill, theSundaily reported. According to the news website, the current legislation does not allow for disciplinary action to be taken against illegal dentists or unregistered practitioners who work in registered practices.

While the Malaysian Dental Association (MDA) has welcomed the first reading of the new bill, the association has also raised concerns that stricter regulations might cause unwanted limitations to the profession, the New Straits Times reported. Therefore, MDA President Dr Ng Woan Tyng stressed that any clause that limits the freedom of practice of dentistry by the general dentist will reduce the accessibility of many dental procedures by the general public, especially in the rural areas, resulting in monopolies driving up prices. This may cause less-informed members of the public to resort to illegal dentistry that will ultimately endanger their health.

Tags:

To post a reply please login or register

Continued cooperation for England’s dental regulation

NEWCASTLE, UK: The national group of governing bodies that are responsible for ensuring that people receive safe, high-quality and compassionate dental care...

Investigation highlights lack of consistent medical regulation

LONDON, UK: An investigation headed by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) has found that patients worldwide have potentially ...

The future of dentistry: What will oral care look like in 2040?

Smart toothbrushes and intra-oral sensors that continually monitor biomarkers in the oral cavity, efficient and free dental services based on preventive and...

BDA warns new chancellor that further cuts will kill NHS dentistry

LONDON, UK: Amid the political upheaval that has engulfed the UK in recent weeks, the British Dental Association has written an email to new Chancellor ...

Interview: "The future of dentistry will be digital"

As the operator of his own dental practice in the German town of Laer and a member of the Digital Dental Academy in Berlin, Dr Hendrik Zellerhoff is clearly...

Interview: What will the future of dentistry look like?

For Dr Victoria Sampson, the connection between oral and systemic health is of central concern when dealing with her dental patients. She employs biomarkers...

"The future of dentistry will be driven by data"

HELSINKI, Finland: Digital dentistry has been talked about as the future of the industry for nearly two decades, but as digital dental technology gradually ...

FDI World Dental Congress 2018 welcomes world of dentistry to South America

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina: Thirty years after it was first held in the country, the FDI World Dental Congress (WDC) has returned to Buenos Aires. Despite the ...

American dental organizations propose changes for licensure

CHICAGO, U.S.: At the beginning of the month, the American Dental Association, American Dental Education Association and American Student Dental Association...

Interview: Dentistry will be different once dental practice resumes

Dr. Leslie Fang is a world-renowned physician, educator and businessman who has been lecturing extensively about the implications of SARS-CoV-2 for ...

Education

Live webinar
Mon. 29 April 2024
12:30 pm EST (New York)