18 February 2005
Ministry welcomes conviction of backyard dentist
The Ministry of Health has today welcomed the conviction of Mt Roskill woman Rong Fang Zhang, who was convicted of
charges related to unlawfully practising dentistry.
Zhang was convicted yesterday in Auckland District Court and fined $2000 plus $750 costs. The Ministry of Health had
laid charges under the Dental Act 1988.
Acting Director of Public Health Ashley Bloomfield said the Ministry had gone to great lengths and spent considerable
resources to investigate this case, and was pleased it was now resolved.
It was found that Ms Zhang had carried out a large amount of invasive dentistry, including root canal therapy, fillings
and extractions and treatment of infection in sub-standard conditions. She had no effective means of sterilising her
equipment.
As a result, 1190 patients over the last four or five years were identified as having been put at risk of blood-borne
infection. These people had to be traced and advised about seeking appropriate medical care by the Auckland Medical
Officer of Health. Mr Bloomfield said this case reinforced the importance of making sure any dentist providing treatment
is reputable, suitably qualified and registered with the Dental Council.
"The Ministry takes these issues very seriously and will investigate and prosecute where it can. A penalty such as this
sends a clear message to others that a breach of the law is simply unacceptable."
The Dental Act has now been superseded by the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act, which has even stronger
penalties.
ENDS