SOME doctors call themselves aesthetic specialists or cosmetic surgeons. Others use titles like lasik specialist.

While the designations lace the business cards and name plates of doctors across the island, they are not formally recognised by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC).

Now, the country's industry watchdog has reminded doctors to stop using them.

This comes after a growing number of doctors have taken to displaying their titles inappropriately - something that has the potential to mislead patients - the SMC said in a letter dated April 21 and sent out to all doctors.

They have been given till end of October to remove the titles from their name cards, letters, signboards, placards and fliers.

According to the letter signed by Professor K. Satku, registrar of the SMC, doctors will be allowed to display only titles from a list of 35 recognised specialties.

The list includes plastic surgeon, dermatologist and cardiologist, but not aesthetic specialist, a doctor who focuses on beauty treatments.

Although these requirements are already in place at the moment, doctors continue to flout the rules by displaying newly coined words next to their names.

Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.