About 20 cases of illegal dental practice probed in Singapore between 2021 and 2025

SINGAPORE – A woman who had aesthetic veneers fitted by a self-taught “dentist” operating out of hotel rooms was shocked when she could not even floss her teeth afterwards, causing much discomfort.

Another self-proclaimed “dentist” bought equipment online and began providing dental services at home and in her beauty salon. One of her clients had veneers that fell off within days of the procedure.

These are two of about 20 cases of unlawful dental practice investigated by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) between 2021 and 2025.

Most of these cases involved cosmetic dental procedures such as veneers and braces, said Adjunct Professor Raymond Chua, chief executive of HSA, on April 17.

Veneers are thin shells applied to the surface of teeth to hide imperfections. Although they are the least invasive of cosmetic dental procedures, they usually require the removal of enamel. Improper preparation can leave the tooth more susceptible to decay.

Botched dental jobs serve to educate the public on the risks of seeking treatment from unregistered practitioners, said Prof Chua, who is also the deputy director-general of health for health regulation at MOH.

It is hoped that the cases could deter those who want to run such illegal services, he added.

On the opening day of the International Dental Exhibition and Meeting (IDEM) 2026, Prof Chua also shared with the regional audience how Singapore reinforces its regulations with strong on-the-ground enforcement.

Its detection mechanisms include reports of suspicious activities from members of the public, as well as surveillance of advertising and promotional activities, particularly those on social media platforms, where unregistered practitioners often market their services.

Prof Chua said the number of cases investigated may not be alarming, but they show that the authorities are closely monitoring the illegal practice. Each case represents a person who may be harmed by the illegal services, with trust in the healthcare system at risk of being eroded, he added.

“Those providing such illegal services prey on patients who may want cheap and quick solutions. Patients, in turn, are lured by their promise of perfect results, often through social media,” he noted.

Despite regulations and enforcement actions, unlawful dental practice is expected to continue as regulation alone cannot keep pace with healthcare possibly becoming more decentralised, digital and consumer-driven, he said.

Prof Chua added that having a more informed public will help in dealing with such cases. Success, he noted, should not be measured by the number of cases handled or the number of rules written.

He proposed a 3C framework that could address these factors and significantly reduce harm before it occurs. The framework involves checking if the practitioner is registered and if the clinic has a valid licence, choosing wisely and calling out unsafe practices through early reporting.

“Healthcare is not retail. Your teeth are not a fashion accessory. They are part of your long-term health. ‘Cheap, fast and convenient’ should never come at the expense of safe and appropriate care,” said Prof Chua.

Despite the cases of illegal practice, “the dental profession in Singapore, and globally, is strong, well regulated, and deeply committed to safe and good patient care”, he said at IDEM 2026, which included a panel discussion on illegal dentistry on the opening day.

Held at Sands Expo and Convention Centre, the three-day event features more than 400 commercial and innovation exhibitors. There are 12 pavilions showcasing dental industry developments in countries and jurisdictions, including Singapore, China, Germany, South Korea, Britain and the US.

IDEM 2026 is organised by German trade fair organiser Koelnmesse, in partnership with the Singapore Dental Association.