The Kerala Orthodontic Study Group Society (KOSGS) has approached the Kerala Dental Council and the Indian Dental Council to take steps against illegal practice by dentists claiming to be orthodontists.
Addressing the media here on Thursday, KOSGS members said there were 284 practitioners without the required eligibility in Ernakulam district alone. Orthodontics is a specialisation at the postgraduate level in dentistry.
It is a specialisation that gives dentists knowledge of the orientation of teeth and correction of the position of teeth with braces. There have been several cases that have come up for correction after damage was done by ill-informed dentists practising orthodontics, said the society members. But it is either very difficult to set things right, or sometimes the damage is irreversible, they added.
The Indian Dental Council prescribes rules as to who can offer courses and also gives recognition to them. .
Dr. P. C. Sunil, Dr. Punnose, and Dr. Joseph Sunny, members of the society, told the media that the State council was yet to act against the malpractice. The website www.keralaorthodondist.com provides the list of actual orthodontists practising in the district and the State.
Dr. Sunil said malpractice is rampant across the country.
