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MDC BULLETIN
VOL. 14 NO. 2

By now, everyone is aware that the long awaited Dental Act 2018 has been passed in Parliament and was
gazetted in June 2018. Hopefully, the Act will be enforced in January 2019. There are a number of chang-
es and important points in this new Dental Act that I would like to highlight.

Under the Dental Act 2018, the Dental Register will consist of three divisions; Division I for persons regis-

tered as Dental surgeons, Division II for persons registered as dentists and a new Specialist Division for
dental surgeons who register as dental specialists in the various dental specialties.

This Act will also see the establishment of the Dental Therapists Board to register and regulate dental
therapists. The Dental Therapists Register will be established for the registration of dental therapists.

Please take note that a dental therapist who works in the private sector must work under the direct su-
pervision of a dental surgeon.

For the purpose of renewing the Annual Practising Certificate (APC), dental surgeons and dental thera-
pists will have to accumulate continuing professional development (CPD) points as specified by the Den-
tal Council or the Dental Therapists Board. They will also be required to show evidence of Professional
Indemnity cover. Although these requirements will come into effect for the 2021 APCs, practitioners will

have to use the CPD points collected in 2019.

Enforcement plays a major role in ensuring rules and regulations are adhered to. As stated in the new
Dental Act, an authorized officer, who is issued with an authority card under subsection 70(2) of the Den-

tal Act 2018, must be allowed access to records, as well as accorded all the cooperation and assistance
required for the officer to carry out his enforcement duties.

It is my fervent hope that all dental practitioners will accept this new Dental Act with open minds, as it
has been introduced to better regulate and increase the stature of the Dental Profession in this country.
Thank you.

(DATUK DR. NOOR HISHAM BIN ABDULLAH)

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