One in five Italian dentists is unqualified, along with an estimated 10,000-15,000 doctors, it was reported today.
More than a thousand people were charged in Italy last year with unauthorised exercise of a medical profession. They included fake doctors, spurious dentists and even a few sham nurses.
In an average year, according to police figures, about 1,000 people have been convicted of the offence. But the penalty is only a fine of up to €516 (£440).
"We catch phoney dentists who laugh in our face," Captain Marco Datti of the carabinieri told the daily La Repubblica. "They say: 'I'll just pay €500, change premises and start again'."