Shenzhen authorities order stop to illegal dental services, misleading ads in Hong Kong

Shenzhen health authorities issue warning after Hong Kong officials flag case of illegal dental practice at North Point shop

Shenzhen’s health authorities have issued a warning to private medical service providers, urging them to halt unauthorised operations and marketing activities in Hong Kong after local officials alerted their mainland Chinese counterparts to an unlicensed dental practice in the city.

The warning from the Public Hygiene and Health Commission of Shenzhen Municipality came a week after Hong Kong police arrested a 72-year-old local man on July 23 for allegedly practising dentistry illegally at a North Point shop used by a mainland Chinese dental clinic to promote its business.

The shop was used to advertise the mainland clinic’s services, displaying slogans such as “Hong Kong’s cheapest place for dental check-up” and “free consultation available”.

In the warning notice, issued last week and seen by the South China Morning Post, mainland health officials said that several private dental clinics had set up consultation booths in Hong Kong and allegedly offered illegal dental services, “severely endangering the health and rights of patients”.

“All medical institutions and their physicians should strictly observe the boundaries of practice. Activities conducted in Hong Kong must strictly abide by the laws and regulations of Hong Kong,” the notice said.

“Unregistered institutions and personnel are strictly prohibited from conducting medical practice activities in Hong Kong. All medical institutions should take warning from this incident, draw lessons from it, and immediately organise self-inspections and self-corrections on their activity status in Hong Kong.”

According to the notice, advertisements in Hong Kong should be reviewed as well.