Over Graduates of Disputed Dentistry Programme After Court Ruling
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has issued a strong public warning urging Kenyans to avoid seeking dental treatment from graduates of a disputed dentistry programme, arguing that the practitioners could pose a serious risk to patient safety.
The warning follows a ruling by the Milimani High Court, which declined to certify as urgent a petition challenging the union’s campaign against the programme. The court instead directed that all parties be heard before making any determination on the matter.
In a statement released on Saturday, June 27, KMPDU maintained that it would continue advocating for strict enforcement of professional training standards, insisting that only graduates from accredited institutions with approved clinical training should be allowed to treat patients.
“The public is hereby strictly cautioned. Seeking dental services from individuals trained under these compromised, unauthorized conditions poses a severe risk to public health,” the union said.
It added: “Do not compromise your safety by seeking treatment from unqualified practitioners operating without standard clinical qualifications.”
The dispute stems from a petition filed by the Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK), which sought conservatory orders against KMPDU’s campaign to have a dentistry programme offered by certain private universities discontinued.
However, in a ruling delivered on June 24, the Milimani Law Courts declined to certify the application as urgent for ex parte hearing, directing COFEK to serve all respondents and interested parties. The respondents have been granted 14 days to file their responses before the case proceeds to inter partes hearing.
Importantly, the court did not determine the merits of the case or make any findings regarding the accreditation status of the institution at the centre of the dispute. The ruling only addressed the procedural question of whether the matter should be heard urgently.
Despite the court’s decision, KMPDU insisted its concerns remain valid, alleging that the contested dentistry programme is being offered by an institution that has not undergone the mandatory inspections and lacks the infrastructure required to adequately train dental surgeons.
The union further claimed that the programme lacks proper accreditation and accused the institution of relying on outdated and compromised inspection reports to promote its dentistry course.
KMPDU also criticized COFEK’s petition, saying it targeted respected institutions such as the University of Nairobi, Moi University and the Kenya Dental Association while, according to the union, defending a programme whose standards remain under scrutiny.
COFEK, however, has challenged KMPDU’s position through the courts, naming the Commission for University Education (CUE), the Kenya Dental Association and other respondents in a legal battle touching on university accreditation and dentistry education standards.
The case comes amid heightened public concern over the quality of higher education in Kenya.
In recent weeks, the Commission for University Education has intensified its crackdown on institutions operating without approval, publishing a list of universities and colleges it says are unaccredited and warning parents, students and employers against enrolling in or recognizing qualifications from such institutions.
The outcome of the ongoing court proceedings is expected to have far-reaching implications for dental education, professional regulation and patient safety in Kenya.
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