Fadley Faisal
There are no plans to increase services for providing dental braces, said Minister of Health Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd lsham bin Haji Jaafar during yesterday’s 19th Legislative Council (LegCo) session.
LegCo member Yang Berhormat Haji Mohd Salleh bin Haji Othman inquired on any plans to improve dental services, particularly on dental braces.
In reply, the minister said that dental braces are an aesthetic side of dental services and not a medical concern.
“The government should not be giving out this service in the first place,” he said. “However, since it has been included in government provisions, the ministry has no plans to increase or give out more services in providing dental braces.
The minister said that putting on dental braces and its maintenance requires certified health experts and appropriate facilities.
If not done properly, it could lead to serious health problems and complications may also lead to death, he said, adding that the public should report such illegal activities.
Meanwhile, Yang Berhormat Haji Mohd Salleh also suggested that the government provide incentives to encourage blood donations, noting the shortage of supply at the blood bank.
In his reply, the minister responded saying that blood drives are conducted to increase supplies.
He said donating blood is a noble act and giving incentives may lead to its commercialisation.
“It has been done before but the ministry has decided to stop such arrangements after finding it not appropriate,” the minister said.
