‘Fake’ dentist nabbed after 40 years of practice

CEBU, Philippines — A 58-year-old man was arrested by the elements of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of Cebu Province in an entrapment operation for illegal practice of dentistry in Sitio Lingganay, Barangay Buluang, Compostela last Thursday early evening.

Police Lt. Colonel Ariel Huesca, CIDG-Cebu chief, identified the suspect as certain Arcadio Duran, 58, a resident of the place.

According to Huesca, when they were directed to follow the mandate of the Philippine Dental Act, he instructed his men to monitor those who were illegally practicing through the social media.

When the police searched for the cheapest dental clinic in Cebu on social media, Duran’s name appeared.

The police then immediately placed him under surveillance for three weeks.

“Nakita dayon namo nga nagsukod-sukod siya, kay naa man mi tawo ni pose as pasyente, mao to na nakuhaan namo siya og location, na-identify then mao to nag-conduct mi og entrapment operation,” said Huesca.

Huesca said Duran also offers home service since all his tools were reportedly handy. He also doesn’t have any clinics and most of his patients will just go to his house.

On their initial investigation, Duran claimed that he has been in this practice for 40 years now.

“Several years ago, ga-assist siya og dentist. In those activities nakuha na niya ang skill hangtud na perfect na niya mao tung 40 years na siya ga-practice ana,” said Huesca.

Huesca also said that some of Duran’s procedures are closely similar to those legitimate dental clinics. These include braces and check-ups.

As per information in the barangay, Duran is quite known for dental practice since his services were 70 to 80 percent cheaper than those legitimate clinics.

“Sa ngipon daw pwede ra ka tagaan og 250 for pustiso, kung mohangyo jud ka naay 500, naay 700,” said Huesca.

Huesca further assessed that Duran’s process were dangerous compared to those legal ones.

Duran will be facing the charges of violation of Republic Act 9484, also known as The Philippine Dental Act of 2007 which regulates the practice of dentistry in the Philippines and for other purposes as he failed to present any document that could prove the legitimacy of his operation.

Confiscated from Duran’s possession were more or less 161 varieties of dental tools. —GMR (FREEMAN)