UK dental regulator prosecutes two people for practising dentistry illegally

The UK’s dental regulator, the General Dental Council (GDC), has successfully prosecuted two individuals for practising dentistry illegally. The cases bring the total number of successful prosecutions by the GDC to five in the last 6 months.

Yesterday at Lincoln Magistrates Court Mr Neville Forman of Beechwood Barn, North Moor Lane, Lincoln pleaded guilty to the offence of holding himself out as being prepared to practise dentistry – in that he was prepared to give treatment in connection with the fitting, inserting and fixing of dentures.

Since he is not registered with the GDC this is a criminal offence under the Dentists Act. Mr Forman has been conditionally discharged for six months and ordered to pay £700 in costs.

In a separate case, Mr Anthony Woodland, of 9 West Quay, Bridgwater, Somerset, pleaded guilty at Bridgwater Magistrates Court on 28 May 2010 to the offence of holding himself out as being prepared to practise dentistry.

In addition he also pleaded guilty to unlawfully using a specified title, namely that of ‘dental technician’. As he is not registered with the GDC both are criminal offences under the Dentists Act.

Mr Woodland has been fined £100 for each offence.

Interim Chief Executive and Registrar of the GDC Ian Todd said:

“The GDC is committed to prosecuting those who practise illegally and hopes that the recent series of successful prosecutions demonstrates this objective in action. Those who practise without the appropriate registration should be aware that the GDC is tackling 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.”

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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; and
• orthodontic therapists.