Sydney Dentist Found Guilty of Professional Misconduct in Patient Treatments

AUSTRALIA: Dr. Saad Abdul-Hassan Al-Mozany, a Sydney dentist, has been found guilty of professional misconduct concerning the treatment of several patients. The Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) initiated the case in 2022, accusing Dr. Al-Mozany of unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional misconduct.

Verdict and Complaints

The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal reached a verdict on Tuesday, declaring Dr. Al-Mozany guilty of two out of three complaints filed by the HCCC. The complaints involved 74 separate allegations related to 14 patients treated at Gentle Dental Care (GDC), where Dr. Al-Mozany had been working since 2010.

The HCCC’s complaint outlined various allegations, including inadequate initial assessments, inappropriate treatment plans, lack of informed consent, insufficient monitoring of patients’ general dental health, and improper orthodontic treatment courses. Some of the accusations involved children, claiming that Dr. Al-Mozany failed to provide appropriate care.

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Patient Testimonies

Patients shared their experiences during the tribunal, expressing concerns about the lack of information and transparency. One patient stated, “At my first appointment, Dr Al-Mozany only popped in very briefly to tell me what he was planning on doing to my teeth, and then he left the room. I never really knew what was happening to my teeth and found it difficult to obtain information.”

Dr. Al-Mozany, who had been in a contractual dispute with GDC since 2017, had his employment terminated in April 2018. Afterward, he practiced in New Zealand until October 2018, when his registration as a dentist was canceled. The Dental Council of NSW also canceled his registration in November 2018 due to clinical care complaints.

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Allegations of Corporate Dispute

In response to the proceedings, Dr. Al-Mozany alleged that the complaints arose from a corporate dispute with GDC. He claimed that the clinic advised many of his patients to file complaints against him. However, the tribunal found him guilty of two complaints, acknowledging that not all allegations were established, including claims that informed consent forms were not signed in some cases.

While facing the consequences of the tribunal’s verdict, Dr. Al-Mozany is also dealing with a $3.1 million damages lawsuit from GDC in the Supreme Court of NSW, indicating a continued legal battle.