A dentist has been struck off by the General Dental Council (GDC).
The allegations against Gerald Curtin were heard by the GDC’s Professional Conduct Committee, and were in connection with his treatment of an elderly patient at the Fairlawn Care Home in Dorset between January 2012 and February 2012.
Mr Curtin was found to have:
• Failed to complete Patient A’s treatment
• Failed to make alternative arrangements for Patient A’s treatment to continue
• Failed to provide Patient A with the dentures that he had taken payment for
• Failed to ensure Patient A could contact him.
In considering this case, the Committee noted: 'Mr Curtin has damaged the reputation of the profession by conducting himself in a way which is contrary to the ‘Standards for Dental Professionals’ and he has caused Patient A to suffer financial loss as well as not receiving the agreed treatment from him. Mr Curtin has shown lack of insight into the seriousness of his behaviour and its impact upon Patient A by an email in which he referred to the charge against him as spurious.'
In the circumstances, the Committee concluded that the only adequate, appropriate and proportionate sanction is erasure.
Unless Mr Curtin, who was immediately suspended, exercises his right of appeal, his name will be struck off the register in 28 days’ time.
More details can be found on the GDC’s website www.gdc-uk.org
