A Malaysian dentist sparks discussion online after comparing RM150 dental fees with RM1,500 make-up costs and calling for better public awareness.

A Malaysian dentist recently shared her grievances online over frequent complaints about dental treatment costs in Malaysia.

Referring to an earlier Threads post about a make-up artist charging as much as RM1,500 for bridal make-up, the dentist expressed her “regret” about becoming a dentist.

“People are willing to spend a lot on expensive make-up and don’t mind paying RM1,500 just for it to be washed off.

“But when it comes to dental treatment that costs RM150 for their teeth that is being used every day, they complain that it’s expensive and expect it to last forever,” she lamented in her Threads post.

She went on to call on the Malaysian Dental Council (MDC) to properly enforce price controls and to educate the public on the actual costs involved in dental treatments.

Many netizens agreed with the dentist’s perspective, noting that people often spend more on wants rather than needs — which unfortunately include dental care.

“Welcome to healthcare in Malaysia. Because medical and dental charges are relatively low in our country, the public sadly does not appreciate them. That’s why you see people willing to pay thousands for make-up services but not for doctor or dental consultations,” one commenter said.

Another pointed out structural issues within the industry, saying: “The government sets very low prices, which has shaped public expectations. It doesn’t help that some private practices further lower their fees for marketing purposes. In some ways, the current problem in dentistry is also created by dentists themselves.”

Others criticised poor oral health habits among patients. “People don’t even take care of their teeth — consuming sweetened drinks every week and not brushing properly — yet still expect to pay very low prices,” another user remarked.

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 The Sun Malaysia