East Lancashire dentist investigated for unsafe practice

Jeremy Booth, Dental Tribune International

Fri. 26 March 2021

save

CLAYTON-LE-MOORS, UK: The Interim Orders Committee (IOC) of the General Dental Council (GDC) has imposed interim conditions on the practice registration of East Lancashire dentist Dr Waqar Mohammed. The IOC heard submissions relating to Mohammed’s provision of clinical care, which included allegations relating to the treatment of 27 patients over a four-year period.

The case was referred to the IOC after concerns were raised with the GDC in early February relating to Mohammed’s provision of care as practice principal at Clayton Dental Care, located in Clayton-le-Moors. The complaint against Mohammed relates to dental care provided to 27 patients during the period 2016–2020 and to concerns relating to the fraudulent writing and signing of NHS prescriptions.

According to public documents, the IOC summarised at the 2 March hearing: “The concerns are extensive and widespread and include failure to carry out radiographic screening and periodontal monitoring, failure to obtain valid consent, failure to carry out sufficient treatment planning, failure to diagnose the source of pain, poor patient management overall resulting in extractions and possible loss of further teeth, failure to diagnose caries, and provision of antibiotics without clinical justification.”

A solicitor representing the GDC submitted that an interim order was necessary to protect the public, stating that documentation presented to the committee showed that dental care provided by Mohammed posed a risk of harm to the public.

“[He has a] significant number of patients depending on him to provide dental treatment which has been delayed due to the pandemic”
– solicitor McDonagh in defence of
Dr Waqar Mohammed

Mohammed’s defence submitted that an order was not necessary because the complaints lacked detail, particularly those relating to fraudulent NHS prescriptions, and owing to the fact that Mohammed had successfully qualified as a dentist and run two dental clinics.

“He works in two single-handed practices, with a significant number of patients depending on him to provide dental treatment which has been delayed due to the pandemic,” Mohammed’s solicitor, Mr McDonagh, told the committee, as reported by the Lancashire Telegraph. “If the committee were minded to impose an order, a lighter form of conditions requiring minimal supervision would be proportionate as he works alone,” his defence said.

Mohammed works as a dentist at a second dental practice—also located in East Lancashire—which was not named in the proceedings. Mohammed’s defence also submitted that the clinical concerns were raised by a previous associate of the defendant and lodged with the GDC after the breakdown of their relationship and his departure from the practice.

The committee found that details relating to the allegations of fraudulent prescriptions were insufficient, but that the material supplied in relation to clinical care were detailed and specific. “The committee is satisfied that on the information before it that an order is required for the protection of the public. The clinical concerns relate to 27 patients. The investigation is in its early stages. The committee considers that the issues are serious enough to require the imposition of an interim order so that the public is adequately protected,” the committee said.

Making its determination based on balancing public interest with that of the defendant, the committee found that interim conditions placed on Mohammed’s registration would be sufficient and proportionate. “You are working alone in a single-handed practice, and there have been no patient complaints,” the committee pointed out.

A list of 15 conditions will appear against Mohammed’s name in the GDC Dentists Register for a period of 18 months. These include the following:

He must inform the GDC within seven days of any complaints made against him from the date these conditions take effect;
He must inform the GDC within seven days of any application for dental employment outside the UK; and
He must provide the GDC with a report from his workplace supervisor every two months and at least 21 days prior to any review.

“I always strive to provide the very best care for my patients. I am disappointed with the interim conditions set out, however I continue to cooperate fully with the investigation,” the Lancashire Telegraph quoted Mohammed as saying.

A PDF of the hearing documentation can be accessed here.

Tags:

To post a reply please login or register

Master’s in Clinical Periodontics which allows dentists to build on their skills while continuing to practice

Dr. David van As explains the value of studying for a Master’s in Clinical Periodontics while continuing to practice: “I enrolled on the College of ...

High evaluations could slow down practice acquisitions in the South East

LONDON, UK: Another rise in practice valuations in the UK could mean that practices in the South East and London will find it increasingly difficult to find...

“Photography is absolutely critical for the modern dental practice”

Dr Mahfuz Rahman is a dentist and founder of Frisco Dental Studio in Texas in the US. He is also a dental photography enthusiast and takes great pleasure in...

Pathways for selling or purchasing a dental practice

According to a recent survey by the National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers, private buyers and small groups in the UK have ...

Four in five toddlers did not visit an NHS dentist last year

LONDON, UK: A new study by the Faculty of Dental Surgery (FDS) of the Royal College of Surgeons has found that 80 per cent of children between the age of 1 ...

Practice owner shares how he worked his way up from a receptionist to Principal Dentist

Dr Amo Sohal is the Principal Dentist at Broadway Dental Boutique. He completed his dental degree in 2014, before finding a practice in Crawley – where he...

British dentist sentenced for fraud

LONDON, UK: A dentist from London has been ordered to pay more than £100,000 in compensation to the NHS within six months. If he fails to pay, he ...

One in four patients would skip dentist for tooth whitening

RUGBY – Tooth whitening is becoming increasingly popular. Last week, UK health authorities voiced concerns about illegal and potentially harmful ...

Clinical governance—A system for better health care

While accountability and improvement have been eminent in health care systems for quite some time, there is probably no other time in history when the ...

Interview: Good practice guidelines for implant dentistry

Training Standards in Implant Dentistry (TSID) has been available from the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) (FGDP(UK)) for over ten years. Recently, ...

Education

Live webinar
Mon. 22 April 2024
3:00 pm UTC (London)