A dentist has been fined for allowing his oral health therapist to perform a dental procedure in his absence. (Photo: Ocskay Mark/Shutterstock)
2014-1-8 | News Asia Pacific

SINGAPORE: A dental surgeon and his oral health therapist at a practice in Singapore are currently facing charges of professional misconduct. According to the Singapore Dental Council, the therapist allegedly performed a dental procedure on a patient in the dentist’s absence, although not entitled to do so by law.

According to the Dental Registration Act, oral health therapists may only perform dental procedures and treatment under the supervision of a registered dentist. In the current case, the Singapore Dental Council’s disciplinary committee held an inquiry against Dr Jimmy Yap Eng Huat and Lim Jingyi for the latter having performed dental procedures on a patient in July 2011 without Yap’s supervision. 

In addition, the Council stated in a press release that Yap had not put any protocol in place to prevent Lim from performing dental procedures in his absence. 

The Council ordered the dental surgeon to pay a fine of S$10,000 (US$7,900). He also has to pay the costs and expenses of and incidental to the proceedings, including the costs of the solicitors. 

The oral health therapist was suspended for 24 months, effective from 25 December 2013.