DT News - UK - Cats in the treatment room: Dentist convicted of misconduct

Dental Tribune International

Sun. 26 January 2014

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LYMPSHAM – According to a report released by the General Dental Council (GDC), a dentist from South West England has failed to maintain appropriate levels of infection control and hygiene at her practice at various times. Among other aspects, a GDC committee found that the woman allowed her cats to roam the practice and used expired dental fillings.

The investigators found that the dentist did not remove her gloves when touching items outside the sterile area, did not ensure that hazardous waste was appropriately stored and refilled glove boxes with gloves that were out of date at her practice in Lympsham between January 2009 and September 2012.

In addition, they found that she had instructed a dental nurse to limit the use of disinfectant spray between patients to one spray and one wipe. There was also no system in place for the routine disinfection of waterlines, according to the report.

The committee’s representatives visited the practice at various times during 2012 and 2013. Although it was noted that the majority of the deficiencies identified in the visit in April 2012 had been remedied, subsequent visits in January 2013 and April 2013 showed some relapses in protocol. Therefore, the committee was concerned that the dentist would not be able to maintain the level of improvement. It concluded that, owing to her lack of insight regarding hygiene and infection control, the dentist might be unfit to practise.

The GDC imposed a number of conditions for a period of nine months. After this period, a committee will review the case.

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