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span class="inline inline-left">Down in the mouth: A denture technician concocts a dental cleaning liquid at his kiosk in West Jakarta. Many denture makers in the city choose to lay low in a bid to save business should the government implement restrictions against them from taking patients. JP/Wendra AjistyatamaWhat is it that denture makers in the city cannot do?

Despite uncredited formal knowledge of dental treatment, many denture makers can make good false teeth, pull your teeth, heal a toothache and install braces for aesthetic purposes.

Even better, they can provide much cheaper prices than any dentist. While a dentist can cost a patient up to Rp 250,000 (US$27.25) for a simple treatment, a denture maker asks only Rp 75,000 to Rp 100,000.

Given affordable fees and their presence on nearly every corner, the denture makers have become the people’s favorite when it comes to dental treatment.

Siti Saidah, 55, and Deviani, 18, came to the denture maker for different reasons.

Siti has become a loyal patient of a denture maker in Jatinegara, East Jakarta, since two years ago. “As I grow older, my teeth become more fragile and need treatment. So far, I have four false teeth,” the elementary teacher said.

Siti said that what her denture maker has done so far was good enough for her. Siti said that she did not want sophisticated dental treatments. “I just want to be able to chew my food. So far, my false teeth have served the purpose well.”

Siti said the denture maker recommended that for safety’s sake she go to a dentist if she needed a tooth pulled.

“I will then go back to my denture maker to install the false tooth, which is priced at only one-third of what the dentist offers.”

Deviani, a shopkeeper, said she had her braces installed by a denture maker in Senen, Central Jakarta, eight months ago. The technician was recommended by her friend at work, who also went to the denture maker for braces.

“The denture maker told me he was skilled and experienced in installing braces,” she said.

Although during the first three weeks endured toothaches and bleeding gums, Deviani said she was satisfied with the technician’s work, especially because she only paid a little over Rp 1.1 million for a set of dental braces compared to the official prices at a dental care unit, which could reach up to Rp 8 million.

Although she never asked where the denture maker’s skills came from, she promoted him to her friends. “They seem interested in visiting him too,” she said.

A denture maker in Pondok Gede, East Jakarta, said that he learned the trade from his father, also a denture maker.

“Most denture-making knowledge is transferred from father to son or from other denture makers, but none of my skills came from normal education,” said the technician who wanted to be identified only as Budi.

Budi, however, convinced his patients that he could conduct some dental treatment. “I could pull broken teeth, but I will inspect them carefully. If they are too complicated, I would suggest my patients visit a dentist. I don’t want to take risks,” he said.

Budi said that he tried to give the best treatment he could, even though he did not set expensive tariffs. “I give good quality but do not burden my patients with high rates,” he said.

According to Budi, he has about 10 patients per day.

The robust business would lose some teeth when the newly issued government regulation takes into
effect in April 1.

The Health Ministry has strictly restricted denture makers from conducting any dental treatment, including installing braces. Their only function is making false teeth.

The Health Ministerial Regulation No. 1871/2011 prohibits denture makers from taking any curative or aesthetic dental treatment measures.

The ministry only allows denture makers, who already obtained a ministry permit, to make false teeth and dental braces, but not taking patients.

The only recognized institution to create skilled denture technicians is Hang Tuah Dental Technician Academy, which was established by the ministry in Jakarta in 1996.

Nur Rohman, a denture maker in Tebet, South Jakarta, said that he could lose his business should the regulation be implemented.

“Making dentures is not enough to make much money. I get more by pulling teeth or installing braces,” he said.

Despite the restriction, Nur said that he would continue operating his business as usual.

“Operating the denture business has become my only financial resource. I cannot think of another job,” said Nur.

However, Nur said that he would take down the big signboard in front of his kiosk, which contains a picture of a young girl wearing braces.

“I am afraid the signboard gives officers from the Health Agency cause to come and ask for my operation permit. But I will inform my customers about the make-over. I don’t want them to think I’m no longer in business.”

Another denture maker in Tebet, who requested anonymity, complained that the regulation was only made for eliminating their existence.

“The ministry just wants to erase our profession. Restricting us from doing business is not a solution. The government should give us professional training instead,” he said.