GDC takes action against dental technicians
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- Published: Wednesday, 11 June 2014 07:21
- Written by News Editor
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The General Dental Council (GDC) has taken action against three dental technicians in recent weeks. Luis Fairman who created the infamous metal teeth for James Bond villain Jaws was fined £500 at Bodmin Magistrates Court for claiming to be a dental technician, although not registered. Frank Mulholland from Liverpool, was fined £2,500 for a similar offence. Finally Paul Kettle from Bolton has been erased from the register for misconduct.
On May 8, Luis Fairman appeared at Bodmin Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to the offence of unlawfully using the title dental technician. The case was brought after Mr Fairman, who has never been registered with the GDC, unlawfully used the title on a YouTube internet video entitled "NHS Dentistry – Ed’s Story". Mr Fairman has been fined £500 and ordered to pay a £50 victim surcharge. He must also pay costs to the GDC of £500.
Frank Mulholland, 74, appeared before a judge for working illegally as an unregistered clinical dental technician. He works from a laboratory opposite the dental hospital in the city centre, and said he believed the prosecution was unfair and that he was appropriately qualified and safe to carry out the work he was doing. Mr Mulholland, who is named Frank “The Tooth” Mulholland on his business card, says he has never worked on anyone’s mouth and is not a dentist. He says he has made dentures and carried out dental repairs for many years. In light of the court case he says he won’t do dentures anymore, but will continue to carry out dental repairs which he says the General Dental Council allows. Mr Mulholland, of Frank Mulholland Dental Laboratory, said: “I’m a dental technician not a dentist. I don’t operate on the mouth or do fillings, no examinations. Most people come to me have old dentures, I mix up the dental materials, put it in the denture and they press them back into their mouths themselves. I’ve never been registered with the GDC because I’m 74 and there’s a grandfather clause to say I didn’t have to join it. The judge was horrible, she told me to plead guilty or the fine would be £12,000 rather than £4,000.” He was fined £2,500 and ordered to pay £1,290.70 GDC costs and £200 victim surcharge.
The allegations against Paul Kettle (Registration no. 140403) were heard by the GDC's Professional Conduct Committee. The charges all relate to his time at Craft Care Ceramics, 69-73 Manchester Road, Bolton, BL2 1ES. Mr Kettle was found to have exceeded his Scope of Practice by carrying out a course of treatment on a patient without a referral, prescription or other instruction from a dentist. He was also found to have made a comment to the patient that was sexual in nature. In its determination, the GDC's Professional Conduct Committee said: "Mr Kettle's conduct took place over a long period of time and went far beyond his scope as a dental technician. He compromised the safety and wellbeing of the patient to such a degree that if he were not erased public confidence in the profession would be greatly damaged."
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