National Bureau of Investigation agents apprehended a “fake dentist” in an entrapment operation at his house in Calatrava, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday morning, August 9.
Arrested was Jude Yanson Labado who faces charges for violation of Republic Act 9484, An Act to Regulate the Practice of Dentistry, Dental Hygiene and Dental Technology in the Philippines, NBI agent Jovel Aperio said.
The NBI was accompanied by members of the Philippine Dental Association-Negros Occidental chapter headed by Dr. Maribel Ong in the conduct of the operation against Labado.
Aperio, who posed as a patient, said Labado was caught in flagrante delicto for practicing dentistry without a license from the Professional Regulation Commission.
Labado, who was detained at the NBI office in Bacolod, said he extracted teeth and made dentures for a living because of poverty.
He is originally from Cebu, Labado said.
Ong said they sought the NBI’s help in the arrest of Labado because of complaints from some of his patients.
The patients complained to dentists, who are members of the PDA, of swelling gums and infections.
She said seized from Labado’s house were anesthetics, tools for extracting teeth, and retainers and dentures and equipment for their manufacture.
Labado has a small laboratory in his house for the manufacture of dentures, she said.
Manufacturers of dentures must have permits to operate, Ong said.
She said even the son of Labado knows how to dentures.
Ong warned patients to be careful because although it may be cheaper to go to fake dentists, when they develop infections, it could be fatal.
If patients do not have money to go to private practitioners, they can go to government clinics for free dental care from dentists who have licenses to practice, she added.
Going to fake dentists because it is cheaper will end up more expensive if they develop infections, Ong said.*