Dental maverick wins conduct case

Dentist accused of giving out cards breaking promotion rules

A self-confessed maverick dentist had a charge of professional misconduct against him dropped in a Dental Council hearing yesterday.

Johnny Ma Kam-chuen had been accused of using inappropriate words on cards he distributed during his failed 2004 campaign for election to the Legislative Council in the medical functional constituency. On the cards, he described himself in Chinese as an 'unorthodox dentist'.

According to Dr Ma, the cards were meant solely for election purposes and were nothing to do with his regular business cards.

When Dr Ma, who practises in Sheung Wan, received an invitation from Three Eagles Group Ltd to join its dental panel to offer treatments at discounted rates, he sought clarification from the Hong Kong Dental Association and the Dental Council as to whether it was satisfactory to accept the post. Included with the letter was one of his election cards as opposed to one of his business cards.

In October, he was served with a letter outlining a complaint alleging he had been distributing the election cards to his patients and members of the public.

Dental Council rules say that dentists' cards for distribution to patients can only state their name, qualifications, surgery address or addresses, opening hours and contact details.