Authorities in Rayong Thailand have arrested an unlicensed dentist accused of treating more than 1,000 patients across four clinics in Pluak Daeng district over a six-month period. The arrest, announced on September 19, has sparked a wider investigation into the dangers of unregulated dental practices in Thailand.
The case was revealed at the Dental Council headquarters, where Professor Doctor Chairat Chaloemratnaroj, president of the Council, spoke alongside senior officials from the Consumer Protection Police Division and the Department of Health Service Support. They confirmed that the woman, who had graduated from a foreign dental school, had been performing procedures such as scaling, fillings, extractions, and orthodontics without holding a valid Thai licence.
Chairat emphasised the serious risks involved in receiving treatment from an unlicensed practitioner. “This case involves a person without a professional dental licence treating patients, which poses a threat to public health. Their actions could lead to infections, complications, and even life-threatening hazards,” he said.
The investigation began after members of the public filed complaints about suspicious dental services in Pluak Daeng. Working closely with police, officials conducted surveillance and eventually arranged an undercover operation. Officers posed as patients and received scaling services—considered among the least risky dental treatments—before moving in to arrest the suspect.
Police Colonel Anuwat Raksacharun condemned the illegal practice, stressing that it not only violated Thai law but also put patients’ lives at risk. He urged the public to report similar cases of counterfeit drugs or unauthorised medical services to the Consumer Protection Police Division hotline at 1135.
Police Colonel Weerapong Klaisong noted that clinic operators who allowed the bogus dentist to practice bore significant responsibility. Some may have failed to properly verify her credentials, while others could have knowingly hired her at reduced wages. In either case, Weerapong said, patients were exposed to unnecessary danger.
Doctor Arkom Praditsuwan, a representative of the Department of Health Service Support, added that employing an unlicensed dentist carries a penalty of up to two years in prison, a fine of 40,000 baht, or both. He also revealed that at least one clinic linked to the suspect was itself unlicensed, depriving patients of basic assurances about its legitimacy.
Authorities confirmed that all four clinics connected to the bogus dentist will be subject to further investigation. Whether affected patients will receive compensation depends on the findings and the accountability of the operators involved.
The case highlights growing concerns about the availability of unregulated medical and dental services in Thailand. Officials stressed the need for both stricter enforcement of licensing laws and greater vigilance from patients, who are urged to verify the credentials of practitioners before seeking treatment.
For now, the arrest has prevented further patients from being exposed to unnecessary health risks, but the investigation continues to determine the full scale of the illegal operation.
