Unlicensed Dentist Arrested in Cotabato City Offering Cheap Braces
FAKE DENTIST – An unlicensed dentist in Cotabato City was arrested for selling supe cheap braces to clients.
A 26-year-old woman in Cotabato City was arrested for illegally working as a dentist. She got caught after agreeing to put braces on an undercover cop for just P1,000.
Authorities started investigating after spotting her Facebook post where she claimed to be a dentist and offered super cheap braces. The suspect, known as “Jaja,” would book appointments online and meet clients at her house, performing procedures without a proper license or proper hygiene measures.
To confirm her illegal practice, the police worked with the Philippine Dental Association and set up a sting operation. An undercover officer posed as a customer, and just as Jaja was about to put the braces on, she was caught red-handed and arrested on the spot.
During the arrest, police seized her dental tools and equipment, which, according to experts, were far from professional standards. Instead of using proper sterilization machines, she simply cleaned the tools with hot water, a huge health risk.
“Ini-sterilize niya lang itong mga gamit sa mainit na tubig na hindi talaga dapat gawin ng isang dentist kasi kung makikita natin sa mga clinic, merong mga apparatus or mga machine na appropriate na ginagamit nung mga professional dentist na wala sa kanya,” Arancillo said.
In a similar post, authorities arrest fake dentist installing braces after learning it on YouTube
Even worse, she was doing these procedures outside her house, right next to a river, in an unsanitary environment.
The incident emphasizes the country’s dental care shortage. The World Health Organization reported in 2022 that there were only 2.6 dentists for every 10,000 people in the Philippines. With dental services being expensive and hard to access, many people, especially those in low-income areas like Bangsamoro, turn to unlicensed practitioners.
Authorities are reminding everyone to be careful when looking for affordable dental services. Cheap doesn’t always mean safe, and in the long run, it could cost more in medical bills. Jaja now faces charges for illegally practicing dentistry and violating cybercrime laws.
The social media users expressed their reactions to the incident:
