Fake Dentists: A Growing Scam in the UK

Fraudulent Dental Practices Prey on Would-Be NHS Patients

According to a recent report by BBC News, an alarming scam has emerged, targeting individuals desperately seeking NHS dental appointments. Posing as legitimate dentists, fraudsters have convinced potential patients to pay for appointments under the guise of securing NHS registration, only to disappear with the funds. This con has left numerous people across England, including Laura from Norfolk, out of pocket and disillusioned after paying for non-existent dental care. “I looked into the NHS website and couldn’t find the dentist practice; looked online, couldn’t find it and then realised this may not be legitimate,” Laura recounted to the BBC after realizing she had been scammed.

The scammers not only employ realistic tactics but also imitate genuine dental practices by using logos, Care Quality Commission (CQC) certifications, and photos from actual dental professionals, with no connection to the fraudulent sites. According to the BBC report, these scammers have used the identity of a real dentist operating in the West of England, who expressed frustration over the unauthorized use of his photo and details. “I’ve had calls from people I don’t know, asking me for money back. My reputation is built on trust and having my image and name used on a fake website is damaging,” the dentist stated.

How the Scam Operates

Fraudsters are utilizing social media, particularly Facebook, to advertise their services. Posts often present an enticing promise to help those struggling to find an NHS dentist. “If you are struggling to register with a dental practice, we can help,” one post reads, urging patients to pay upfront to reserve NHS appointments. The fake dental practice, named “The Dental Surgery,” lures patients with advertised appointments and promises of automatic NHS registration for fees ranging from £26 to £319, depending on the appointment type.

Once payment is submitted, however, the illusion quickly falls apart. Those who attempt to confirm their appointments are met with silence, and the supposed practice location details often change as the scam evolves, making it difficult for victims to trace the scammers. BBC investigators uncovered that the scammers frequently altered their operation sites, leaving no trace of an actual physical location or surgery.

Victims Across England Fall Prey to Deceptive Tactics

Reports indicate that the scammers have targeted various regions, including Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Devon, Merseyside, County Durham, and Lincolnshire. Victims, already struggling to find available NHS dentists, often do not question the legitimacy of the posts due to the severe shortage of NHS dental services. Laura, who had been searching for an NHS dentist for nine years, mentioned her eagerness to secure a spot quickly, leading her to pay £100 in hopes of finally obtaining an NHS appointment.

Desperation is a key factor in why people fall for these scams, as noted by Steve Marsling of Toothless in Suffolk, a campaign for better NHS dentistry access. Mr. Marsling explained that the scammers prey on individuals with limited financial resources who are unable to afford private dental care. “They are going to find and scrape the money together; they can’t afford it, that’s why they are not going private,” Marsling told the BBC. He described the scam as “disgusting” and said the fraudsters “have no moral fibre.”

The Scammers’ Use of Misleading Information

According to the BBC, the scammers rely on imagery and certifications pulled from real practices to present an air of credibility. The “Dental Surgery” Facebook page even featured a fake CQC certificate bearing the name of a real dentist who was not involved in any way. Additionally, the website also misappropriated NHS registration information from a legitimate Ipswich dental practice and logos from a surgery in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex. Both practices confirmed they had no connection to the fake site or the scammers behind it.

The “page transparency” feature on Facebook revealed that the fraudsters’ account had previously been used to promote other dubious activities, including “SparkFest Great Yarmouth” and an inflatable park event, both flagged as potential scams by local councils. This pattern of page rebranding raises concerns about the recurring use of social media platforms for fraudulent activities.

Government and Regulatory Response

The scam has prompted a response from local trading standards and health authorities. Norfolk Trading Standards confirmed it is investigating the fraudulent website and social media posts claiming to offer NHS dental registration services in Norwich, while NHS Mid and South Essex has issued guidance encouraging individuals to use only the official NHS Find a Dentist website. “We encourage all residents to use the official NHS Find a Dentist website for the most up to date information on dental practices that are accepting new NHS patients,” a spokesperson for NHS Mid and South Essex advised.

The CQC, Britain’s regulatory body for healthcare providers, is also examining the case. Additionally, Action Fraud, the national reporting center for fraud and cybercrime, stated that the matter is currently under review by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau in collaboration with City of London Police.

Meanwhile, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, confirmed that it is working with law enforcement to curb fraudulent activity on its platform. While Meta stated that fraudulent activity is not permitted on its sites, the scammers’ page remains online at the time of reporting, continuing to pose a threat to unsuspecting individuals.

This growing scam highlights the desperation among NHS patients for dental services, a need that unscrupulous individuals have exploited for profit. As the BBC’s investigation reveals, authorities and social media platforms face increasing pressure to address the issue and to protect individuals from these sophisticated scams.