Sinking their teeth into fee display ban

Orthodontists raise concerns over directive to disallow advertising of their price list

PETALING JAYA: The cost of orthodontic treatment is not only an issue for consumers, some of whom were driven to seek the services of quack dentists, it is also a concern for qualified dentists as they are not allowed to advertise their fees to attract consumers.

The Malaysian Orthodontic Practitioners’ Association president Dr Kathiravan Purmal said the Malaysian Competition Commission (MyCC) instructed the Malaysian Dental Association in May last year not to allow its members to display the recommended fee structure.

The instruction is in compliance with the Competition Act 2010.

“The scale of fees was a convenient way to display the price list in our clinics but that has been prohibited,” he told The Star.

On Wednesday, the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) president S.M. Mohamed Idris urged the Government to amend the Schedule 13, Private Healthcare Facilities & Services (Private Hospitals and Other Private Healthcare Facilities) (Amendment) Order 2013 to compel dental clinics to display their fees.

He said the amendment should also regulate the fees for all procedures and not only basic dental services, which are regulated now.

He said the high cost of such orthodontic procedures was one of the key factors leading to consumers seeking treatment from fake dentists and endangering their lives.

Dr Kathiravan said most clinics now had their own price list.

“The argument that the patient is unaware of the cost of treatment does not hold water because the consumer or patient can ask for the price before treatment and for the itemised billing after treatment.

“In fact, before any procedure, the dentist is duty-bound to obtain informed consent for the treatment. So there’s ample opportunity to discuss fees and payment schedule, especially for complicated treatment,” he said.

On the high price for dental treatment in private clinics, the patient could opt to go to government clinics and teaching institutions, where the cost was much lower, he noted.

For orthodontics, the patients were also given an option to pay in instalments so it was affordable even in private clinics, he added.

Dr Kathiravan said the quality of oral care in Malaysia could be improved if all employers provided dental benefits to their staff.

“The Government must make this mandatory because annual checkups and minor treatment can prevent major dental work, which could be costly,” he said.

He also suggested having an affordable insurance scheme for all employees, such as in the United States and Britain.