DT News - UK - Dentist struck off for poor treatment and behaviour

Dental Tribune International

Mon. 31 March 2014

save

LONDON – The General Dental Council (GDC), the regulatory body for dental professionals in the UK, has suspended a dentist for professional misconduct after a public hearing. He allegedly did not treat his patients and staff with respect, and failed to maintain appropriate levels of infection control and hygiene.

On 3 March, the GDC’s Professional Conduct Committee held an inquiry against Dr Alfons Andreas Striebich, a dentist of German origin who worked in a practice in Southampton in the UK.

According to a report released after the hearing, the dentist was rude and dismissive towards patients, and children in particular, and delayed starting appointments unnecessarily. In addition, the investigators stated that did not inform his patients appropriately and failed to discuss treatment options and cost of treatment with patients. Striebich also prescribed antibiotics without clinical justification and in inappropriate doses, and failed to keep accurate and complete dental records.

Interviews with staff members established that Striebich was also rude and dismissive towards the dental nurses. His female colleagues reported that he often clicked his fingers at them and talked down to the nurses. The GDC said that such behaviour demonstrated a fundamental lack of respect and understanding, and was incompatible with dental team work.

The nurses also reported that Striebich did not wash his hands adequately between patients and did not re-sheath sharps after use, placing patients in significant danger of actual harm, according to the GDC.

The dentist had been suspended before, from October 2010 to January 2011, because colleagues had raised a wide variety of concerns about his behaviour, including Striebich’s attitude towards both colleagues and patients, failure to obtain informed consent to treatment from patients and disregard for routine procedures to prevent cross-infection.

Unless Striebich exercises his right of appeal, his name will be struck off the register in approximately 28 days’ time, the GDC stated.

By law, all professionals must be registered with the GDC to work in the UK.

To post a reply please login or register

TruSmile Video: A game-changer for patient communication and treatment planning

Dr Robbie Hughes is a leading figure in digital dentistry, and his clinical expertise is supported by extensive postgraduate training in implantology, ...

False teeth stuck in throat for nine weeks

BRAINTREE, UK: A 75-year-old woman from the UK who accidently swallowed her dentures had to wait for nine weeks until a doctor found the cause of her fever ...

Ivoclar Vivadent updates dentists about latest materials and treatment protocols

Leicester, UK: For years, the International Centre for Dental Education by Ivoclar has been offering dental education and training for dentists and dental ...

Graduate premiums do not pay off debt, except for dentists and doctors

LONDON, UK: Medicine and dentistry appear to be the only two professions in which graduates in the UK are currently able to cover their student debt. ...

Cats in the treatment room: Dentist convicted of misconduct

LYMPSHAM – According to a report released by the General Dental Council (GDC), a dentist from South West England has failed to maintain appropriate ...

Causes and treatment of breath odour

Breath odour is the presence of odorous volatile organic compounds in the breath of individuals. It is a widespread problem, as it affects a high percentage...

Causes and treatment of breath odour

Breath odour is the presence of odorous volatile organic compounds in the breath of individuals. It is a widespread problem, as it affects a high percentage...

Myobrace, Myoretainr and Myosa: Innovative myofunctional treatment systems

WAALWIJK, Netherlands: For more than 35 years, the treatment systems developed by Myofunctional Research Co. (MRC) have helped practitioners around the ...

Dentists from Scotland share experience of emergency lockdown treatment

FORT WILLIAM, UK: Owing to strict government restrictions for controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2, dental practices in Scotland were instructed to limit ...

Webinar offers upskilling for advanced clear aligner treatment planning and execution

A comprehensive free webinar to feature on Dentsply Sirona Academy on 22 January will delve into the intricacies of clear aligner case selection, tooth ...

Education

Live webinar
Wed. 1 October 2025
1:00 am UTC (London)