MHRA report highlights risk of counterfeit dental equipment

Dental professionals in the UK have been warned of the presence of counterfeit and unapproved dental equipment on the market that may pose a danger to themselves and their patients.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has revealed that more than 12,000 different pieces of poor-quality dental equipment have been seized in the last six months that were imported into the UK from China and Pakistan and sold on auction websites.

Moreover, the regulator has six ongoing investigations involving the purchase of counterfeit dental equipment from sites such as eBay, including X-ray machines that emit high levels of radiation or handpiece drills that could malfunction and disintegrate.

The report underlines the importance of ensuring their dental equipment is sourced from reputable suppliers, or else risk endangering patients and causing reputational damage to the dental profession.

Alastair Jeffrey, the MHRA's head of enforcement, said: "Purchasing from auction websites and being unable to verify the integrity of the seller has the potential to increase risks to patients and cause reputational damage to the dental profession."

This follows the launch of the British Dental Industry Association's Counterfeit and Substandard Instruments and Devices Initiative earlier this year and further underlines the growing seriousness of this issue.