Dentist Receives Suspension for ‘Distressing and Intimidating’ Behaviour

UK: A dentist has been suspended by the General Dental Council (GDC) for a period of nine months due to his involvement in ‘distressing and intimidating’ behaviour towards a dental nurse. 

The GDC took this action after carefully considering the dentist’s actions, which led to a restraining order being issued against him.

Unwanted Pursuit of a Relationship

The incident dates back to December 2016 when the dentist met the dental nurse, referred to as Person A, at a workshop. Subsequently, the dentist began attempting to pursue a relationship with Person A, despite her lack of interest. 

In July 2017, the police issued him a warning in response to a harassment complaint made by Person A. The warning explicitly prohibited any form of communication, direct or indirect, with her or her family under the risk of arrest and harassment charges.

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Persistent Harassment and Police Involvement

In 2018, Person A lodged another complaint with the police, claiming that the dentist was attempting to arrange a marriage with her through a religious leader, despite her clear disinterest. The police addressed the situation through a community resolution, instructing the dentist to cease any further contact.

However, the harassment persisted, and in August 2020, the dentist was arrested in connection with further harassment of Person A. This included sending unwanted friend requests and voice recordings through social media, even after being blocked. Additionally, the dentist was accused of appearing at Person A’s home on multiple occasions.

Admission of Charges and Trial Outcome

Upon being interviewed by the police, the dentist admitted to the charges. During the trial, the prosecution, with Person A’s agreement, offered no evidence against the dentist in exchange for him accepting a five-year restraining order. 

As a result, on 19 May 2021, Loughborough Magistrates’ Court imposed the restraining order, prohibiting any direct or indirect contact with Person A.

The GDC reviewed the available police records, which indicated that the dentist’s persistent and unwanted communications from 2017 onwards had a ‘distressing and intimidating’ impact on Person A and her family. According to the GDC report, Person A felt so intimidated by the dentist’s approaches that she required a chaperone when going outside.

In response to the severity of the dentist’s misconduct, the GDC decided to suspend him from practicing dentistry for nine months. The sanction was deemed sufficient to protect patients and the public, maintain confidence in the dental profession, and allow the dentist an opportunity for reflection, remediation, and developing insight into the impact of his behaviour.

Ensuring Patient Safety and Professional Standards

The GDC’s decision to suspend the dentist serves as a strong message against harassment within the dental profession. It emphasizes the importance of respecting professional boundaries and the significance of ensuring patient safety and well-being. 

The suspension also aims to encourage further learning, reflection, and behaviour remediation, ensuring dentists uphold the highest standards of professional conduct in their practice.