FDI warns against illegal dental practice as Kenya death exposes risks of unlicensed treatment

The FDI World Dental Federation has raised the alarm over the growing threat of illegal dental practice, warning that weak enforcement of existing laws is putting millions of patients at risk, including in Kenya, where a botched tooth extraction by an unlicensed practitioner claimed the life of a 27-year-old man.

The warning comes in a new global report that found illegal dental practice remains widespread despite most countries having laws regulating the profession.

The report, based on responses from 49 National Dental Associations, found that while 95 per cent of participating countries have legislation governing dental practice, fewer than half believe the laws are being effectively enforced.

According to FDI, weak enforcement, inadequate resources and regulatory loopholes have allowed unqualified individuals to continue offering dental services, exposing patients to severe infections, permanent oral damage and, in some cases, death.

The federation has released a two-page policy brief summarising the findings and recommendations of its report to help governments, health regulators and national dental associations strengthen patient safety and crack down on illegal dental practice.

The report reveals that 58 per cent of participating dental associations have recorded confirmed cases of patients harmed by illegal dental treatment. The injuries range from serious infections and permanent oral damage to life-threatening complications.

It also found that 62 per cent of countries lack reliable data on the extent of illegal dental practice, making it difficult for authorities to assess the problem and measure the effectiveness of enforcement efforts.

FDI defines illegal dental practice as dental care provided by individuals or organisations that are not properly trained, licensed, registered or regulated under national law. This includes unqualified people performing tooth extractions and dental implants in homes or informal clinics, beauticians fitting braces in salons, and practitioners operating with expired licences or outside their legal scope.

The federation says the problem affects both developed and developing countries, driven by the high cost of treatment, limited access to licensed dentists, shortages of qualified professionals, growing demand for cosmetic procedures and low public awareness.

The dangers highlighted in the report were tragically illustrated in Kenya earlier this year when 27-year-old Amos Isokha died after a tooth extraction carried out by an unlicensed practitioner in Kawangware.

Isokha had sought treatment for a toothache at Life Clinic on January 1, 2026, where he paid Ksh.1,000 for the procedure.

An autopsy conducted by pathologist Dr Joseph Ndungu revealed that the practitioner failed to disinfect the infected area or treat the swelling before extracting the tooth. The infection spread rapidly through Isokha's jaw, neck and chest, leading to sepsis caused by Ludwig's Angina—a severe bacterial infection affecting tissues beneath the tongue and jaw.

The Kenya Dental Association blamed the incident on weak enforcement of regulations and the limited availability of affordable, licensed dental services, concerns that closely mirror the findings of the FDI report.

“Who is to blame? This is a systemic failure. All of us carry this blame. We had a facility that was not supposed to be operating, and people working there without licences. The owners of those places have a responsibility to employ qualified personnel,” Tim Theuri, director of private health practitioners in the country, also noted

Beyond the immediate harm to patients, FDI warns that illegal dental practice undermines public confidence in the profession. Because unlicensed practitioners operate outside regulatory systems, victims often have little access to legal redress, disciplinary action or compensation.

To tackle the problem, the federation is calling on governments to strengthen enforcement of existing laws, improve surveillance and data collection, educate the public on verifying dentists' credentials and enhance collaboration between regulators, law enforcement agencies and professional associations.

FDI also says expanding access to safe and affordable dental care is critical to reducing reliance on illegal providers.

It urged patients to seek treatment only from qualified, licensed and regulated dental professionals, warning that stronger regulation and greater public awareness are essential to prevent more avoidable tragedies like the one that claimed Amos Isokha's life.