Pune: In a shocking case, a registered dentist and his wife, who holds an Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) qualification, have been accused of deceiving patients by offering unauthorized dental treatments at their clinic for the past five years. The couple allegedly operated without the necessary medical certifications and documentation.
Police reports indicate that the dentist is also accused of supporting his wife’s fraudulent activities since 2019. While he is a qualified practitioner, he allegedly enabled his wife to treat patients without proper registration or expertise, exploiting unsuspecting individuals for financial gain.
The malpractice was uncovered during a raid by a four-member committee at Harirup Dental Care in Manchar, operated by the duo. Investigators discovered that while the husband was a registered dentist, his wife, lacking the requisite qualifications, was conducting procedures and prescribing medication, potentially endangering patients.
During the raid, the woman was asked to provide valid credentials. She could only produce an ANM degree—a nursing qualification from the Maharashtra Nursing Council—which is insufficient to practice medicine under the Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Act, 1961 (MMP Act).
The incident came to light when a patient developed health issues after receiving treatment at the clinic. On November 19, 2024, the patient sought dental care from the woman, who presented herself as a registered dentist. She conducted tests, prescribed medicines, and charged ₹1,200 for the service. Following complications, the patient reported the matter to Taluka Health Officer (THO) Dr. Chandrakant Chapate, prompting an investigation.
“After examining the clinic on November 28, we found the woman lacked valid medical credentials. She only provided an ANM certificate, which does not authorize medical practice under the MMP Act,” said Dr. Chapate. Based on the findings, Dr. Chapate lodged a complaint with the police.
The couple has been booked under Section 33 of the MMP Act, which prohibits unregistered medical practice, as well as Sections 318 and 319 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023.
Senior Police Inspector Shrikant Kankal stated, “The complaint filed by the THO forms the basis of the case. The investigation is ongoing, and further action will follow. No arrests have been made so far.”
