Khaberni - Dr. Aya Al-Asmar, the head of the Dentists Association, confirmed that the association has been engaged in a comprehensive battle against professional misconduct in the dental sector for months, pointing out that the scale of the discovered violations reflects the seriousness of the situation not only on the reputation and level of the profession but also on the health and safety of patients and visitors in various provinces.
She said at a press conference held on Tuesday, at the association’s headquarters, that the council dealt with 25 files during the past period, including 10 files for doctors who do not hold a practicing license, some of them of different nationalities and others still in their internship phase, emphasizing that this category poses a direct risk to patients, according to Al-Ghad newspaper.
She added, the most dangerous files relate to impersonators practicing the profession without any related qualification, diagnosing patients and drawing up treatment plans illegally, pointing out that these cases were referred to the public prosecutor after being captured on field.
She revealed that control operations were carried out in cooperation with security forces, including the closure of clinics run by dental technicians in violation of the regulations, confirming that the association formed more than 150 investigative committees to look into various violations, most notably working in unlicensed or investor-owned clinics.
She explained that this phenomenon represents a major challenge as the law stipulates that the dentist must be the actual owner of the clinic, while some investors exploit dentists' licenses to operate illegal centers.
She added that the association addressed the Ministry of Health to close the non-compliant clinics, where more than 20 centers and clinics have been closed so far.
She continued, “36 doctors have been referred to the disciplinary council, which for the first time issued decisions to suspend doctors from working and imposing financial fines ranging between 500 and 1000 dinars,” confirming that these measures come to affirm the seriousness of the association in addressing the violations.
In another axis, she emphasized the danger of the random training courses held outside the framework of the association, confirming that continuing medical education is exclusively entrusted to the association.
She explained that some companies and centers selling fake certificates have been referred to the public prosecutor and the Central Bank has been addressed regarding illegal insurance card companies operating outside official frameworks.
She pointed out that the association is currently working on the file of fake pages and misleading advertisements that promote unsafe treatments or prices below the minimum wage, confirming coordination with the Cyber Crimes Unit and the Media Authority to regulate these practices.
She said that these advertisements caused direct harm to patients, prompting the association to move to protect citizens and ensure their safety.
She announced a new step in launching a QR Code for every dentist and clinic starting next month, enabling citizens to verify the legality of the clinic and the dentist working in it through their phones.
She explained, this initiative will enhance trust and support medical tourism in Jordan, pointing out that any center that does not carry this code will not be under the association's responsibility.
She indicated that the association has achieved a comprehensive digital transformation in recent months where administrative and financial transactions are completed electronically via the association’s application, including the payment of financial obligations and participation in solidarity and retirement funds.
She confirmed that this step is in line with the state's direction towards digital transformation, and contributes to enhancing transparency and protecting the financial resources of the association.
Regarding the retirement fund, she explained that it represents the association’s biggest concern, confirming that the council has made fundamental adjustments to its systems in cooperation with the Social Security Institution and actuarial experts, to ensure the fund’s sustainability for long decades.
She added that the adjustments included raising the retirement age and changing the mechanism for calculating retirement salaries, to ensure a fair distribution of burdens among all members. She also announced the launch of new investment projects inside and outside Amman to enhance the resources of the association and ensure the continuation of the fund.
She emphasized that the association works in wide partnership with various state institutions, and that the main goal is to protect the profession and the rights of doctors, and to ensure the safety of patients, noting that these efforts come to maintain Jordan’s status as a leading destination in medical tourism.
She confirmed that the association will not tolerate any transgressions and will continue to work to regulate the sector and develop it to match Jordan’s medical reputation in the region.
