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MDC BULLETIN |DENTAL ACT 2018
VOL. 14 NO. 2 |PERSONAL VIEW OF A GOVERNMENT DENTAL PRACTITIONER

capabilities but not claim to be Oral Maxillofacial do the same. Professional indemnity not only pro-
Surgeons. This is important especially when with- tects a professional against legal liability but also
in the confined space of the oral cavity there are indemnifies the practitioner for defence cost and

bound to be areas that overlap with other dental expenses incurred in respect of a claim. Hence,
specialties. there may come a time when there is a need for a
paradigm shift in the mentality of the dental prac-

titioners in the public sector, who now depend on
The introduction of the Professional Qualifying
the Ministry of Health as the “provider” of the in-
Examination will set a standard for all dental grad-
demnity cover. Furthermore, this should also be
uates who register in Malaysia. Hence, the ques-
seen to be in-line with the spirit of “no restriction”
tion of disparity in the training from different uni-
in practice, where one has to take full responsibil-
versities will not arise and probably clear the
ity for the services provided, and this will in cer-
doubts and even prejudice among supervisors in
tain ways helps to garner patients’ trust.
government dental clinics. Hence, we look for-

ward to a sound machinery in the implementation
of the Professional Qualifying Examination. Lastly, as much we welcome the regulation of pro-
vision of community service by dental surgeons,

there seems to be undue restriction posed in this
The introduction of professional indemnity cover matter, especially on the number of days allowed.

is not something new as private dental practition- Due to the challenging landscape in certain areas
ers, though not all of them, have been subscribing of the country, community services for these com-
to it. In the author’s opinion, its implementation munities are usually in high demand as it brings
should be extended to the public sector as well. If more benefit than harm, provided of course that
the standard of care remains the same.
things are enforced among private dental practi-
tioners then the public dental practitioners must

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