National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents nabbed a “dentist” in Victorias City for the “illegal practice” of dentistry and warned that others who insist on doing the same would also be arrested.
The NBI arrested Regina Perez Manuel, 61, in an entrapment operation at her clinic in her residence at 24-B, Joven Street, Brgy. 2, Victorias City, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday afternoon, NBI Bacolod chief Manuel Fayre Jr. said on Thursday, Aug. 29.
She was arrested for practicing dentistry without a Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) license, he said.
The NBI filed a complaint against Manuel for violation of Republic Act 9484 or the Philippine Dental Act of 2007, which regulates the practice of dentistry, dental hygiene and dental technology in the Philippines, before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Victorias City on Thursday, Fayre said.
The Philippine Dental Association Negros Occidental Chapter Inc. filed a request for investigative assistance to curb the proliferation of the illegal practice of dentistry in Negros Occidental based on the information provided by the national PDA, he said.
The PDA officers informed them that there are more persons in the province engaged in the illegal practice of dentistry, Fayre said.
Fayre said those still engaged in the illegal practice of dentistry should find other jobs now or also face arrest.
He said it appears that Manuel had been practicing dentistry without a license for a long time not only in Victorias but in Manila where she is originally from, and even joined medical and dental missions.
The NBI seized the dental chair, other equipment and medicine from Manuel’s clinic, he said.
Dr. Analie Gonzaga, PDA Negros Occidental president, said Manuel admitted that she had been practicing without a PRC license as she did not have the money to take the board examination after she graduated.
In her Facebook post Manuel also allegedly performs circumcisions, Gonzaga added.
Gonzaga said the PDA is going after illegal practitioners to ensure that “safe and ethical standards in dental care” are practiced.*