The government has issued a warning to doctors and unregistered health facilities providing dental services, stating that strict actions will be taken against those found guilty.
In a public notice on Tuesday, November 26, David Kariuki, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), cautioned the public about the dangers of using facilities that offer dental services without proper registration.
Kariuki reminded both the public and medical practitioners operating unregistered facilities that the law outlines specific penalties for such actions.
According to the law, anyone found engaging in the operation of an unregistered health facility may face a fine of Ksh10 million or imprisonment for up to five years.
''Section 22(5) of CAP 253 stipulates that a person who uses premises as a health institution whose premises are not licensed as a health institution commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ten million shillings or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both,’’ Kariuki stated.
KMPDC also highlighted that some facilities, such as laboratories and pharmacies, were offering services for which they were not registered by law and reminded them to only offer services for which they were registered.
''Medical and dental services can only be provided in health facilities that are registered and licensed to operate in Kenya. Standalone laboratories and pharmacies are registered and licensed within their regulatory framework for the specific purposes of diagnostic testing and medication dispensing,’’ KMPDC added.
The board issued a warning to facilities providing dentistry-related services, particularly those that place bracelets on teeth—a common practice in many unauthorised outlets. They stated that appropriate actions would be taken against these establishments.
Additionally, the government plans to launch a crackdown on other health-related service providers offering medical procedures, including hair transplants, laser hair removal, and waxing, among others.
''Invasive procedures such as those involving injection of medications, procedures requiring local anaesthetics, and procedures on teeth are considered medical services and are required to be undertaken in health facilities and by practitioners that are registered and licensed," KMPDC stated.
The Authority adds, "Some of these procedures include liposuction, botox, facial rejuvenation, micro-needling, hair transplant, laser hair removal, dental waxing, teeth whitening, and placement of dental braces or implants, among others."
The notice also reminded the public to be wary of unregistered health facilities offering dental services and to be on the lookout on its official website for the registered personnel and facilities.
The announcement comes in the wake of a government crackdown on unregistered facilities offering medical services to the public. This follows the botched medical surgery of the late Lucy Wambui at a facility in Nairobi, alleged to be unauthorised to perform the procedure.
