14 July 2010
GDC continues to tackle illegal practice
The UK’s dental regulator, the General Dental Council (GDC), has successfully prosecuted the eighth person this year alone for practising dentistry illegally.
Yesterday at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court Mr Liam Sherry pleaded guilty to the charge of holding himself out as being prepared to practise dentistry in connection with the fitting, insertion and fixing of dentures at LPS Prosthetics, 265 Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, Kent.
Since he is not registered with the GDC this is a criminal offence under the Dentists Act 1984. Mr Sherry has been conditionally discharged for 12 months and ordered to pay £1000 towards the GDC’s costs.
Interim Chief Executive and Registrar of the GDC Ian Todd said:
“This is an important issue which the GDC takes very seriously. We are committed to prosecuting those who practise illegally and this recent series of successful prosecutions demonstrates this objective in action. Those who practise without the appropriate registration should be aware that we will tackle this issue robustly and will continue to prosecute in every appropriate case. The Council’s priorities are public protection and professional regulation.
If you would like to report someone you believe to be practising illegally you can do so by sending an email to illegalpractice@gdc-uk.org, by writing to Illegal Practice, The General Dental Council, 44 Baker Street, London, W1U 7AL or by calling 0845 222 4141.”
Ends
For media enquiries, please contact Moira Alderson on 020 7009 2756 or mailto:malderson@gdc-uk.org
Notes to editors:
1. The Dentists Act 1984 makes it a criminal offence for anyone other than a registered dental professional to carry out dentistry. The GDC is committed to protecting the public by bringing cases of illegal practice to court.
2. As the UK regulatory body of the dental profession, the GDC has a duty to protect the public. Registration with the GDC is a legal requirement for dentists and the following dental care professionals:
• clinical dental technicians
• dental hygienists
• dental technicians
• dental therapists
• dental nurses
• orthodontic therapists