DENTISTS are being warned about the risks of buying dental equipment online after reports of a counterfeit product for drilling and cleaning teeth shattering while being used to treat a patient.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued a medical device alert to dentists in response to an apparent rise in the number of counterfeit and non CE-marked dental products for sale on the internet. It warns that these products may not have been tested for safety and could fail during use with a risk of injury to patient and user.
The MHRA has issued a number of such device alerts since 2012 including warnings over a dangerous counterfeit dental x-ray machine that emitted harmful levels of radiation, counterfeit dental curing lights that could result in poor quality fillings and other fake dental medical devices that could cause serious harm to patients.
The MHRA is working with auction websites to remove identified counterfeit or non CE-marked products.
John Wilkinson, MHRA’s Director of Devices, said: "The patient in this latest incident was unhurt but dentists buying and using counterfeit and non CE-marked dental medical devices are putting the safety of their patients at risk.
"Dentists should only buy dental medical devices from a legitimate manufacturer or supplier. Any dentists who may be worried or have questions can contact the MHRA on 020 3080 6701 or through email at counterfeit@mhra.gsi.gov.uk"
This page was correct at the time of publication. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.
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