Five people were fined by health ministry inspectors last year for claiming to be dentists when they did not have the proper papers and three people were fined for saying they were doctors.

A further four dentists were fined for claiming to be qualified orthodontists.

In total, inspectors handed out 21 fines to fake medical professionals, who face court action if caught a second time.

So far this year, six people have been fined for claiming to be a qualified healthcare specialist. Of them, three said they were psychotherapists, two claimed to be doctors and one a midwife.