The National Order of Dental Surgeons of Senegal (ONCDS) has broken its silence. Faced with the alarming normalization of the illegal practice of dentistry, its president, Dr. Myriam Thérèse Arlette Dia Ntab, held a press conference to sound the alarm. Misleading advertising, unregulated practices, and misinformation even in public media: for the Order, the oral health of Senegalese people is now seriously threatened.

According to the president of the ONCDS (National Order of Dental Surgeons), the illegal practice of dentistry has reached unprecedented levels. Long confined to social media, these illicit practices are now infiltrating traditional media. "Unqualified individuals, without any legal authorization, are offering dental care and promoting it through aggressive and misleading advertising campaigns," laments Dr. Dia Ntab.

The Order of Dentists (ONCDS) expressed particular shock at the recent broadcast on RTS1 of a prime-time report on teeth whitening. The program was deemed "biased," having misled the public about the medical nature of the procedure and its associated risks. The ONCDS believes that some presenters, commentators, and even artists, often unwittingly, become the conduits for these illegal practices.

The Order reiterates that Senegalese legislation is unambiguous. Law 05-2023 of June 13, 2023, stipulates that no one may practice as a dental surgeon in Senegal without holding a recognized diploma and being registered with the Order. Furthermore, ethical rules prohibit all forms of commercial advertising.

“It is shocking and frustrating to see untrained individuals continuing to operate with impunity,” the president insists. The Order points out that a previous lawsuit it won concerning teeth whitening has set a precedent and strictly regulates this practice. These abuses expose patients to serious complications: severe tooth sensitivity, gum damage, and even irreversible harm.

Whitening: a medical procedure, not a cosmetic treatment

Professor Khaly Bane, from the Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Odonto-Stomatology at UCAD, reminded everyone that teeth whitening is not a simple cosmetic procedure. Tooth color depends on complex structures (enamel, dentin, pulp) that can be altered by chemical or biological factors.

“The products used, particularly hydrogen peroxide, present serious risks if misused: oral lesions, accidental ingestion, and even substances classified as potentially carcinogenic, such as high concentrations of sodium perborate,” he warns. For the Order of Dentists, fitting a mouthguard or gingival barrier without being a dentist clearly constitutes the illegal practice of medicine.

Given the scale of the problem, the ONCDS is calling on health and judicial authorities to strengthen controls and sanctions. The Order is also challenging the media on their responsibility in disseminating medical information.

For the general public, the message is unequivocal: for any oral health care, it is essential to consult a dentist registered with the Order of Dentists. "This is the only guarantee of safety and adherence to scientific standards," emphasizes the National Order of Dentists. As its president concludes, "Oral health is not an aesthetic luxury, but a fundamental pillar of public health."