Sham dentist arrested

An unregistered dentist who allegedly employed other unregistered dentists at his practice has been arrested, according to a Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) statement released yesterday.

A joint operation by the HPCSA and the police resulted in the arrest of the dentist who owned a surgery named Northview Dentist at Northview Shopping Centre in Randburg.

It was found that he conducted procedures at the surgery but was not registered with the HPCSA. Those he employed as dentists were also not registered with the council.

The council and the police are conducting operations aimed at eradicating unregistered health practitioners in the area.

“The healthcare sector continues to battle the scourge of bogus practitioners masquerading as professionals within the healthcare profession,” the council said.

“The HPCSA inspectorate office throughout the country continues to conduct random and planned operations with other law enforcement agencies to ensure that healthcare professionals comply with the Health Professions Act,” it added.

The council warned medical practitioners against practising without registration, saying this endangered the lives of patients.

“The HPCSA encourages the registration of healthcare practitioners who intend to practise in the country.

“Practising while not registered with the council is constituted as a criminal offence according to the Health Professions Act.

“Bogus practitioners who are found to be practising without registering with council will face the full might of the law,” it warned.

The Sunday Times previously reported that a 23-year-old KwaZulu-Natal woman was arrested after posing as a medical intern, consulting and treating patients.

Nokwanda Ndlovu allegedly claimed she was a medical student from Wits University and worked at several facilities between 2017 and 2019. She faces fraud charges. – News24 Wire

Practising while not registered with the council is constituted as a criminal offence.