[Updated 10 december 2021 - with B.M version & "Soalan Lazim" below]
Key Points :
1. From year 2025 - 2027, All dental students who graduates will need to sit for qualifying exam in order to practice. Except those qualifications listed in 2nd schedule of the previous dental act
2. From year 2025 , Compulsory service can be done in the private dental clinics. Instead of in government clinics.
3. From 2025, all dentist must have cpd points and insurance in order to renew apc.
MEDIA STATEMENT ENFORCEMENT OF THE DENTAL ACT 2018
The Dental Act 2018 [Act 804] will come into force on 1 January 2022 except for three (3) provisions which will come into force on 1 January 2025. This Act provides for the establishment of the Malaysian Dental Council and the Malaysian Dental Therapist Board, registration of dental surgeon and dental therapist, regulation of the practice of dentistry and related matters. The Act which contains 9 Parts and 104 sections requires that only qualified, competent and professional practitioners be registered, and qualified to provide dental services. With this, the quality of dental services and patient safety are guaranteed, as well as increase the people's confidence and trust in dental services.
This Act will replace the Dental Act 1971 [Act 51] which has successfully regulated the practice of dentistry for 50 years. However with the development of practice and technology in dentistry, a new Act with wider jurisdiction and provisions covering all aspects of the latest dental practice is needed. Among the new provisions in the Dental Act 2018 are the Professional Qualifying Examination for the purpose of registration as a dental surgeon, registration of dental specialist and dental therapist, requirement of Continuing Professional
Development points and Professional Indemnity Protection Cover to apply for practicing certificate and enforcement on the practice of dentistry.
All dental graduates who wish to register with the Malaysian Dental Council must pass the Professional Qualification Examination. For those with qualifications listed in the Second Schedule of the Dental Act 1971, they are allowed to register with the Malaysian Dental Council without having to sit for the Professional Qualification Examination. This permission is only applicable for a period of five (5) years from the date this Act comes into force, which is from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2026.
Under this Act, dental surgeon registered with the Malaysian Dental Council can choose to perform compulsory services in the public or private service. A dental surgeon with a post-graduate specialist qualification approved by the Council may apply to be registered as a dental specialist in any of the twelve (12) dental specialties from February 2022.
In line with current developments, all practitioners will be required to collect Continuing Professional Development points and have Professional Indemnity Cover, prior to applying for practicing certificate. However, this provision will only take effect on 1 January 2025.
For any further information regarding the enforcement of this Act, please contact the Oral Health Program, Ministry of Health Malaysia at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or the Malaysian Dental Council at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">.
KHAIRY JAMALUDDIN
MINISTER OF HEALTH MALAYSIA
8 December 2021
New Dental Act effective from January
PUTRAJAYA: The Dental Act 2018 (Act 804) will come into force effective Jan 1, 2022 to replace the Dental Act 1971 which has regulated the practice of dentistry for the past 50 years.
Health minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that in line with developments in the practice and technology in dentistry, a new act with a wider jurisdiction and covering all aspects was needed.
The act, which contains nine divisions and 104 sections, stipulates that only qualified, competent and professional practitioners will be registered and qualified to provide dental services.
“With this, the quality and safety of dental service is guaranteed and will boost the confidence and trust of the people,” he said in a statement today.
Act 804 also provides for the setting up of the Malaysian Dental Council (MDC) and the Malaysian Dental Therapists Board, the regulation of dental practice and other related matters.
The act will also enable enforcement to be taken against dental practices which do not comply with the act, including those that carry out illegal dental practices, he said.
According to Khairy, among the new provisions of the act was the Professional Qualifying Examination for the purpose of the registration of dentists, registrations of dental specialists and dental therapists.
It also provided the need to collect points for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Professional Indemnity Cover for applications of practising certificate and enforcement in dental practices.
“It is mandatory for all practitioners to collect CPD points and obtain Professional Indemnity Cover, before renewing the practising certificate. This provision will be enforced on Jan 1, 2025,” he said.
In the meantime, Khairy said all dentistry graduates who want to register with the MDC must ensure they pass the Professional Qualifying Examination.
Those with qualifications listed in the Second Schedule of the Dental Act 1971, are allowed to register with the MDC without having to sit for the Professional Qualifying Examination.
The approval is only valid for a five-year period from the date the act is enforced, namely, from Jan 1 next year until Dec 31, 2026, he said.
“Under this act, dentists who have registered with the MDC can opt to undergo their compulsory services in the public or private service,” he said.
Dentists with post-degree specialist qualifications approved by the council can apply to be registered as dental specialists in any 12 dental specialties from February 2022, he said.
Among the specialties listed currently are oral and maxillofacial surgeries, pediatric dentistry, conservative surgery and orthodontics.
Further information on the enforcement of Act 804 can be obtained by contacting the health ministry’s Dental Health Programme through e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or the Malaysian Dental Council at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">.
News Article from FMT dated 10 December 2021
