Illegal dental labs pose serious health risks

Srinagar, Mar 14: The Health and Medical Education Department has failed to curb the rise of illegal dental labs across Kashmir, posing serious health risks to the public.
People complain that limited dental care facilities in government hospitals have led to the growth of unregulated dental services with no proper oversight from authorities.
Ghulam Mohammad, President of the Dental Mechanics Association Kashmir, expressed concern over the alarming number of unlicensed dental labs operating across the region. “These labs, run by both locals and non-locals, lack proper qualifications and licenses, making them a major health hazard,” he said.
These unauthorized establishments use substandard materials and operate without qualified personnel, putting patients at risk of severe infections, gum diseases, and long-term oral health issues. “Many of these individuals have no formal dental education, yet they attract customers by offering low-cost treatments,” Mohammad added.
The illegal operators lure customers by offering low-cost treatments. Poor-quality materials have led to a surge in dental infections, gum diseases and oral health issues.
Despite repeated complaints to the authorities, including the Health Department, nothing has been done to shut down these illegal labs. While CMO Srinagar carried out some inspections but consistent enforcement has allowed these businesses to thrive.
Mohammad also raised concerns about many unlicensed labs being owned by non-locals, further complicating the situation. He said the unchecked spread of such illegal labs has not only deteriorated dental care but also reduced public trust in professional dental services.
In February this year, CMO Pulwama took action against some illegal dental labs, but no similar measures have been implemented in other districts.
The licensed lab owners demand inspection of all dental labs across Kashmir, closure of unlicensed establishments, heavy fines on illegal operators, a public awareness campaign to educate people about dangers of substandard dental care, and financial and business support for certified dental mechanics to ensure quality dental services remain accessible.
“If immediate action is not taken, the situation will worsen, leading to a severe deterioration in dental healthcare across the valley,” he warned.
“Illegal dental laboratories are operating across various districts of Kashmir. We have approached administrative authorities multiple times, and while they issued orders, enforcement efforts stopped without any lasting results,” Mohammad said.
Experts urge the government to take decisive action against unregulated dental practices and ensure that only qualified professionals provide dental care to the public.
An official of the Health Department said they have already taken action in some areas and added that they will not allow illegal practices to continue, assuring that strict action will be taken against the violators and legal proceedings will be initiated against them.
People also complained about the rise in dental quackery with no checks from authorities on clinics. “There are fake dentists, operating in markets and doing their job safely but health authorities have failed to take action against them,” said Suhail Ahmad, a Srinagar resident.
“They have drug shop hoardings outside but inside they have dental machines and treat patients. They are using unsterilized equipment,” he said.
Notably, in 2018 and 2019, the Jammu and Kashmir Dental Council took strong notice of the illegal dental clinics and tried to weed out violators but post-reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir dental clinics have come under the ambit of Chief Medical Officers.
Officials of the J&K Dental Council said that now Chief Medical Officers have the task of conducting inspections against the illegal practice of dental quackery.