Open AccessFake Braces by Quacks In Malaysia: A Major Concern
Author(s) -
Nor Azlida Mohd Nor,
Wan Zulkifli Wan Hassan,
Zamros Yuzadi Mohd Yusof,
Mohd Zambri Mohamed Makhbul
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
annals of dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2462-2060
pISSN - 0128-7532
DOI - 10.22452/adum.vol27no6
Subject(s) - quackery , presentation (obstetrics) , oral health , social media , medicine , complaint , service provider , service (business) , internet privacy , business , advertising , dentistry , marketing , alternative medicine , law , political science , surgery , pathology , computer science
Dental quackery has been a problem for decades and is becoming a major concern in many countries, including Malaysia. Recent development of a new service offered by quacks in Malaysia is “fake braces”, which alarmed dental professionals. The fake braces appear similar to the professionally fitted orthodontic appliances comprising of archwires that are secured on brackets by coloured ligatures except they are fitted by unqualified individuals who have no formal clinical training. In addition, the orthodontic materials and dental equipment used for this illegal service were substandard and unregulated. Therefore, such fitted appliances are harmful to the teeth and oral health. Efforts to record the extent of fake braces practice and its oral health consequences have been challenging as they are marketed through the social media, and the victims were either reluctant to come forward or did not know the appropriate channel to file a complaint to the health authority. This paper aims to highlight typical presentation of fake braces, modus operandi of fake braces providers, the harmful effects of fake braces on the patient’s oral health, the role of social media advertising in promoting fake braces, and the impacts to the illegal providers.