Press Statement

Malaysian Dental Council

Status Of Recognition For Seven Taiwan Dental Schools Qualifications

The Malaysian Dental Council would like to refer to the news published in The Star Online and The Borneo Post on the 17^th July 2019, whereby the MDC was reported to have removed recognitions for seven Taiwan dental schools from the Second Schedule of the Dental Act 1971. The reported Taiwan dental schools are: Taiwan University School of Medicine, National Defense School of Medicine, Yangming University School of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, China Medical University, Zhongshan Medical University and Kaohsiung Medical University.

The MDC would like to clarify that this is not true, as basic dental qualifications from Taiwan dental schools have never been recognised under the Dental Act 1971, hence has never been listed under Second Schedule of the said Act.

However, dental graduates with unrecognised qualification (including from Taiwan dental schools) may be considered to be registered under the Dental Act 1971 if they fulfil the criteria determined by the MDC for registration, either under the Section 12(3) or Section 12(9) of the same Act. Currently there are 139 such graduates from unrecognised Taiwan dental schools who have fulfilled the stipulated criteria and are already registered with the MDC. Thus, these 139 dental graduates are all allowed to practise in Malaysia.

The MDC hopes this clarifies the confusion. Any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact the MDC (Email: mdc@moh.gov.my , Phone: 03-8318 6440/4510/7366, Fax: 03-8318 6121).

Thank you.

DATUK DR NOOR HISHAM ABDULLAH

PRESIDENT,

MALAYSIAN DENTAL COUNCIL

17^th July 2019