UK Dental Regulator Prosecutes Bristol Man For Illegal Dentistry

Main Category: Dentistry
Article Date: 31 Mar 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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The UK dental regulator, the General Dental Council (GDC), has successfully prosecuted Stuart Folland of 43 Whitchurch Road, Bristol for the illegal practice of dentistry.

At Bristol Magistrates Court recently, Mr Folland pleaded guilty to practising dentistry illegally from 24 January 2006 to 8 October 2007. He carried out dental work during this period despite being removed from the Dentists Register in January 2006 for non-payment of the annual fee. Practising dentistry without being registered with the GDC is a criminal offence under the Dentists Act.

Mr Folland was fined £400 and was ordered to pay the GDC's costs of £1,548.

GDC Chief Executive and Registrar Duncan Rudkin said:

"The General Dental Council's priority is to protect the public. We can do this by taking action against individuals who practise illegally. Dental professionals must meet the high standards the public expect of them.

You can check whether somebody is registered with us as a dental professional by logging onto our website http://www.gdc-uk.org or calling us on 0845 222 4141. If you have any information which suggests that an individual has practised dentistry illegally you should contact us."

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

*from 31 July 2008

General Dental Council

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