Figure 1.
Interview guide
| Question | Prompts |
|---|---|
| What do you know about fake braces? | Have you heard about fake braces? |
| How do you feel about fake braces? | Are you concerned about this trend? |
| What experience do you have with fake braces? | Have you come across any cases? |
| What did you do? | |
| Why do you think the public seek such treatment? | Do you think the patients are aware that it is illegal? |
| In your opinion, what are the short term and long term effects of fake braces on our community? | Will this trend have a positive or negative impact on orthodontics and the community? |
| What difficulties did you encounter when managing these cases? | Were patients receptive to your advice? |
| Did you know how to manage these cases? | |
| How did you manage these cases? | |
| What is your view about fake braces providers? | Are they usually male or female ? Age group? |
| Do they know what is legal or what is not? | |
| What are their common responses/excuses for providing this illegal service? | |
| Do you have any suggestions to manage this alarming trend? | What would make it easier for you to manage these cases? |
Participant demographics
| FGD | Participant | Gender | Age | Enforcement experience (years) | Enforcement unit (By State) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FGD 1 | 1 | Female | 41 | 4 | Kuala Lumpur and Putraiaya |
| 2 | Female | 50 | 13 | Perak | |
| 3 | Male | 38 | 10 | Pulau Pinang | |
| 4 | Male | 43 | 9 | Selangor | |
| FGD 2 | 1 | Male | 34 | 4 | Sarawak |
| 2 | Male | 37 | 5 | Kuala Lumpur and Putraiaya | |
| 3 | Male | 35 | 6 | Perak | |
| 4 | Female | 33 | 5 | Pulau Pinang | |
| FGD 3 | 1 | Female | 56 | 9 | Negeri Sembilan |
| 2 | Female | 48 | 11 | Kuala Lumpur and Putraiaya | |
| 3 | Female | 36 | 9 | Selangor | |
| 4 | Female | 40 | 11 | Terengganu |