About 10 years ago, the New York State health officials, with the help of the American- Chinese Medical Professional Association (ACMA), cracked down on unlicensed doctors in Chinatown.

While most of these doctors disappeared for a while, they are now gradually popping up again as officials slowed down their activity.

But yesterday, after an unlicensed dentist was arrested and his office was forcibly closed, many health workers in Chinatown sensed the arrival of a new crackdown.

Many licensed doctors in Chinatown, who feel that their unlicensed colleagues are damaging the integrity of their profession, secretly lauded the arrest.

One licensed doctor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that he wasn’t reporting the unlicensed practices out of fear of retaliation.

Some of the patients who frequent unlicensed services admitted having concerns about the treatments, but they said lack of money and no insurance compel them to find illegitimate alternatives.

A Fujianese immigrant who peddled fruit on East Broadway said that unlicensed doctors “serve a need for the community.”

Chang, a state licensed acupuncturist, said that he faced unfair competition from unlicensed practitioners who charged much lower rates. He was afraid, however, of saying anything. He said that anyone who openly challenges them is likely to be hated and even retaliated against.

A look at the rate of unlicensed clinics in Chinatown is enough to see the appeal to customers.

The dentist who was arrested yesterday charged $100 for a root canal and $130 for fixing a broken tooth. The same services in a licensed clinic are worth at least $400 and $600, respectively.

Many unlicensed clinics look neglected; equipped with outdated instruments and dubious health standards.

Many new immigrants console themselves by saying that unlicensed doctors are not substandard. They said many of them are licensed doctors in their hometown, but could not obtain a license because of diploma or language issues. Their clinics may be substandard, but their medical practice is not. Many of the practitioners enjoyed good reputations in their hometowns, which carry over to Chinatown.

One licensed doctor said yesterday that he wanted the government to look at the situation in the Chinese community. According to him, unlicensed doctors are running their businesses without a safety controls and this is detrimental to the profession. He said that he simply looked with agony, as his own clinic gets over-crowded with patients who came from unlicensed doctors, who did not treat them properly.