Authorities have shut down two suspected illegal dentistry clinics operating out of East Vancouver.
Investigators from the B.C. College of Dental Surgeons raided one home on East 38th Avenue Monday morning after receiving a tip from the public.
A full-sized dental examination chair was removed from the first floor as the home, as well as computer equipment and an air compressor.
Lead investigator Alex Penner said they had removed everything related to dentistry found at the home, including equipment and full and partial dentures.
He said it was a concern that there was no radiographic or sterilization equipment present.
“You can’t extract teeth or do dentistry with unsterile instruments and and proper x-rays,” said Penner.
The raid happened just after another at a home on East 38th Avenue.
The action follows several other raids that have taken place since the case of illegal dentist David Wu hit headlines in fall last year.
Wu was sentenced to three months in jail for contempt of court and ordered to pay “special costs” estimated at around $140,000.
To practice dentistry in B.C., candidates must complete a general dentistry program, be registered with the B.C. College of Dental Surgeons and pass either the National Dental Examination Board of Canada (NDEB) or the National Dental Specialty (NDSE) exams.
Agencies/Canadajournal