Friday, November 6, the police went to an address in Ponton, Hubadastraat 11D, to attend to a dentist working illegally and is an illegal immigrant. Tuesday, November 10, her arrest was prolonged with 8 more days, but today the suspect regained conditional freedom.
The prosecutor considered that they have enough proof against the dentist of Venezuelan nationality, working illegally as a dentist. They also found medicines that were brought into Aruba illegally. Because it is no longer necessary to keep her detained, she was released this afternoon, but with the condition that she may not perform any procedures on patients! If she does, she will be arrested immediately.
This same dentist was inspected last year by the Public Health Department. They explained to her in detail that she may not treat any patients until she complies with the requirements needed to be eligible to practice dentistry on the island.
The problem with this case is not if she is a real dentist or not, but that she did not go through the screening process by DVG. The screening is to make sure that she could provide her services according to the standards required. After passing such screening, an advice is given to the Minister of Public Health to grant the needed permit to perform such activities.
Sometimes permits are given to people from the region to work under the supervision of another doctor who is BIG registered ( European register system). These permits are granted when there is a lack of a specific specialist. In this case, Aruba has enough dentists, so it would not be easy to receive such a permit.
Even if an expectation is made, she would have to work under an existing clinic with a certified dentist who could guarantee a high quality of service. It would be highly impossible for the Minister would sign an “MB” to allow a dentist to work in a bedroom in a house that she is renting without any hygiene measures. And without the necessary tools and equipment.
During such raids, the Public Health Department’s Inspection team does not consider if the person is married to a local person or if they have a permit of residency. Their control focuses on illegal practices in Aruba. Aruba is an organized country with laws and regulations to guarantee a high quality of public health, and these types of practices are punishable.
