KDA warns against unqualified persons offering dental services

The Kenya Dental Association (KDA) has raised concern over the growing presence of unqualified persons offering dental services in some public and private clinics, centres and hospitals across the country.

In a statement issued by its National Governing Council, the association said some dental facilities were operating without adequate numbers of qualified dentists, creating an opportunity for untrained individuals to provide oral healthcare services.

KDA warned that allowing unqualified persons to impersonate or masquerade as dentists could expose patients to serious harm while undermining public confidence in the healthcare system.

“The unfortunate decision to have unqualified and untrained persons impersonating and masquerading as dentists/doctors not only harms public trust in the delivery of quality healthcare but promotes quackery, unimaginable pain and high costs of care in pursuit of appropriate treatment,” the association said.

The professional body called on members of the public, owners of dental clinics and hospitals, and county governments to ensure that only licensed and qualified professionals provide oral healthcare services.

KDA further urged healthcare providers to operate within their respective scopes of practice and professional licences.

The association also advised members of the public to consider taking legal action against individuals who impersonate qualified dentists, as well as facilities and employers who engage unqualified persons to provide dental services.

KDA said information on the qualifications and licensing status of dentists and doctors, as well as the registration of healthcare facilities, can be verified through the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) registers.