Dentistry student arrested for performing unlicensed dental procedures
DAVAO CITY – A third-year dentistry student was arrested during an entrapment operation for allegedly performing dental procedures without a license.
The operation involved members from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Davao (CIDG-11), Davao City Anti-Scam Unit, and the Philippine Dental Association-Davao Chapter. The arrest took place at the student’s residence in Barangay Bago Oshiro, where he was reportedly conducting these procedures.
According to Simplicio Sagarino, head of the Davao City Anti-Scam Unit, the student was apparently administering numbing injections to patients and fitting devices similar to braces, intended to alleviate pain during the procedure. Authorities revealed that the 27-year-old had been conducting these unauthorized dental services for some time, not only in the Philippines but also internationally, thus engaging in illegal dental practices abroad.
“Kanang murag braces siguro pero iyaha patong gi injectionan para mag-numb para dili na siya makafeel gani para dili musakit siguro. Mao toy gihimo niya. Naa man toy kauban to nga taga-CIDG, gidakop dayon siya,” Sagarino, said.
Professor Carlos Capitan II, a consultant for the Davao City Anti-Scam Unit, disclosed that they had been monitoring the student for three months. During this period, the student traveled to Taiwan and Hong Kong, where he continued his illicit activities. The monitoring began after a trip to Taiwan in January, where he engaged in illegal dentistry practices.
“Actually mahal, when you say mahal, halos kapareho lang sa uban. He’s doing veneers and crowns and even bridges, gamit ang iyahang pabalik-balik nga micromotor. Gimonitor namo ni 3 months, last January, nibyahe adto og Taiwan, nag-ano didto, illegal practice of dentistry. Nibyahe nasab og Hongkong, gihulat namo na diri,” Capitan said.
The Philippine Dental Association had previously issued several warnings to the student. Following his arrest, the student declined to comment and now faces legal charges under the Philippine Dental Act for his actions.
