20 - Deliberate damage

An orthodontist (who was not a member of this organisation) came before the UK's General Dental Council in 1999. The committee had evidence from over 30 witnesses, including patients and their parents, dental nurses, dental technicians, and various experts. The allegations found proven were that the dentist had deliberately damaged fixed and removable orthodontic appliances and had deliberately prolonged treatment, in order to maximise fees he would receive through claims to the National Health Service.

In erasing the dentist's name from the Dentists Register, the President of the Council made the following statement:

‘This was a sustained and deliberate course of dishonest conduct that had the effect of increasing the dentist's gross receipts and defrauding the National Health Service. Not only did he display a lamentable lack of skill but also attempted to treat a grossly excessive number of patients for whom he failed to make adequate clinical notes.

His general failure to exercise an acceptable degree of skill and attention led him to implement inappropriate courses of treatment, some of which were excessively and unnecessarily prolonged. In some cases, this caused a marked deterioration in the patient's appearance. The dentist also showed a lack of consideration and concern for his patients, which is quite unacceptable in a professional person.'