KDA slams KMPDC over move allowing quacks to provide dental care

The Kenya Dental Association (KDA) has strongly opposed a newly published scope of practice by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), saying it would allow unqualified individuals to perform dental procedures that should only be carried out by trained dentists.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the KDA's National Governing Council said it viewed the publication with "profound concern," describing it as a direct threat to patient safety and the rule of law.

"We consider this action to be unlawful, irrational, procedurally defective, and contrary to the Constitution, the Health Act, and the statutory mandate of the Council," the association said.

The KDA argued that the scope of clinical dental practice cannot be expanded through administrative notices without following the required legislative and regulatory processes.

It maintained that the scope of dental practice is "a matter of public safety" that cannot be changed through circulars or publications issued without public participation or consultation with the dental profession and other key stakeholders.

"The publication exposes millions of Kenyans to the real risk of unsafe, substandard, and unregulated dental treatment," the statement read.

The association added that Kenyans have a constitutional right to the highest attainable standard of health, including access to safe and professionally regulated oral healthcare.

According to the KDA, the new scope of practice would allow unqualified individuals to undertake a range of advanced dental procedures, including root canal treatment (endodontics), orthodontic treatment (orthodontics), restorative dental procedures, prosthodontic treatment (prosthodontics), advanced dental surgery, prescribing medication, and paediatric dentistry.

The association warned that these are highly specialised clinical procedures requiring the knowledge, competence and training of qualified dental practitioners and surgeons.

It argued that allowing untrained individuals to perform them would "threaten patient safety, undermine professional standards, and exceed the proper regulatory process."

The KDA also outlined four immediate demands to the KMPDC. It called on the Council to withdraw the publication in its entirety, suspend implementation of the new scope of practice, publish the expert reports, competency assessments and stakeholder consultation records used to develop the document, and convene an urgent stakeholder forum involving the dental profession, universities, professional associations and the Ministry of Health.

The association warned that it would seek legal redress if its demands are not met.

"Should the publication not be withdrawn forthwith, the Kenya Dental Association will pursue all available legal action to protect the public interest, uphold professional standards and ensure that the rule of law prevails," it said, warning that allowing unqualified individuals to provide dental care could expose Kenyans to "grievous bodily harm."

Despite its strong criticism, the KDA said it remains open to dialogue.

"The regulation of healthcare professions exists primarily to protect patients, not to lower professional standards or legitimise unauthorised clinical practice," the association said.

It added that it remains committed to working with all stakeholders to strengthen oral healthcare in Kenya.