A Nottinghamshire dentist who caused the biggest NHS patient recall in history has been struck off by the General Dental Council.
All but one of 56 allegations of malpractice against Desmond D’Mello were proven to be true during a misconduct hearing, which ended on Thursday.
The allegations included Mr D’Mello not changing gloves between patients, not sterilising dental equipment after each use and issuing antibiotics without checking for allergies.
It comes after covert filming showed poor levels of cleanliness and hygiene at Daybrook Dental Practice, which is now under new management.
As a result, 22,000 patients had to be recalled in November 2014 with 4,500 of those tested for blood-borne viruses and five were found to have hepatitis C, which can cause chronic liver disease, although it cannot be known exactly how they contracted the virus.
He placed patients at a serious risk
During the hearing, chair of the panel Gavin Scott said: “D’Mello’s behaviour was fundamentally incompatible with being a dental professional.
“His failings have constituted a contemptible pattern of gravely hazardous practice.”
Mr D’Mello chose not to attend the hearing or to have a legal representative present, but sent written representations.
Caroline Surgey, 43, who was D’Mello’s dental nurse, admitted to 27 allegations at the same hearing.
She has been allowed to continue to work as a dental nurse but must accept conditions and be supervised.
