Illegal dentistry is a systemic issue posing a significant threat to patient safety but is likely underreported worldwide, according to a new report from the FDI World Dental Federation.
The FDI World Dental Federation released a report July 2 that provides a global overview of illegal dentistry, including information on legislation, public health risks and industry leader initiatives. The report, which aims to support advocacy and policy action, was created using a survey of 49 national dental associations.
Six notes from the report:
1. The FDI noted that illegal dentistry is driven by limited access to affordable dental care, workforce shortages, the commercialization of services and low public awareness.
2. Forty-nine percent of national dental associations consider current regulations on illegal dentistry effective, while 47% find them ineffective. The FDI said these results reflect differences in enforcement capacity between countries, including the funding and staffing of regulatory bodies, judicial efficiency, and levels of political support.
3. The FDI concluded that illegal dentistry is likely underreported and poorly documented due to 62% of national dental associations reporting no reliable data on the prevalence of such activity and 23% of NDAs being uncertain of available data.
4. Common forms of illegal dentistry include teeth whitening, veneers and orthodontics provided by unqualified individuals; services provided in non-clinical settings; the online sale of dental devices; and misleading advertising on social media.
5. Patient harm was reported by 58% of NDAs.
6. The FDI also concluded that illegal dentistry is a systemic issue requiring coordinated action across policy, enforcement, education and health system reform.
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