SEREMBAN: A 21-year-old woman pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here to charges of being a quack dentist and running an unregistered dental clinic.
Nur Hafizah Harun denied both charges when they were read to her before Judge Mohamad Kamil Nizam on Thursday (May 15).
She was first charged with practising dentistry without a licence under the Dental Act 2018.
The alleged offence occurred around 8.50pm at a house in Taman Nusa Intan, Senawang, on Dec 6, 2024.
Nur Hafizah was charged under Section 62(1) of the Dental Act 2018, which prohibits unregistered individuals from practising dentistry, including treating or attempting to treat any dental diseases.
Offenders face fines up to RM300,000, imprisonment up to six years, or both upon conviction.
For the second charge, she was accused of operating an unregistered dental clinic under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998.
This offence allegedly took place at the same time and location.
She was charged under Section 4(1) of the Act, which also carries a fine up to RM300,000, imprisonment up to six years, or both upon conviction.
Health Ministry prosecuting officer Musfirah Musa requested bail be set at RM10,000 with one surety for each charge.
She also asked that the accused report monthly to the nearest police station and surrender her passport, if she has one, to the court.
"The use of tools or equipment of unknown quality is dangerous to customers' health and can spread infectious diseases like hepatitis and HIV," she said.
A. Partheeban, representing the accused, requested lower bail, noting his client was unemployed and her brother, who would post bail, was a lorry attendant.
The court set bail at RM6,000 with one surety for both charges, approved other prosecution requests, and scheduled mention for June 1.