A dentist who sexually assaulted two dental nurses in the presence of patients has been struck off the register.
The General Dental Council (GDC) found that a dentist in Northern Ireland ‘repeatedly’ carried out acts of ‘inappropriate, sexually motivated, non-consensual, intentional physical contact with female dental nurses’.
Between 1990 and 1994, one employee – known as Witness A – had the dentist touch beneath her underwear while talking to patients on more than one occasion.
Final straw
He was also found to have made comments about her figure and kissed her cheek after awarding her a Christmas bonus, saying: ‘I’ve always wanted to give you a Christmas kiss.’
On another occasion she ‘nearly vomited’ after he intentionally pressed his crotch against her.
For Witness A, the ‘final straw’ was when the dentist attempted to have sex with her. After everyone had left the practice, she said he ‘launched’ himself at her.
Another dental nurse – known as Witness B – had the dentist press his crotch area against her and touch her leg in the presence of a patient in 2015.
‘Cross and uncomfortable’
It was also proved that he touched her bottom and/or lower back. Witness B’s evidence read: ‘While I was writing the names, the registrant, who was standing behind me, lifted my tunic so that my lower back skin was exposed.
‘He squeezed the left side of my bottom and was touching my bare skin on my lower back area. He then put his hand down the waistband of my trousers all from behind.’
She added: ‘I was very cross and uncomfortable with what he was doing but I carried on writing. I may have been moving my feet about. But I can’t remember now what I did. I was asking myself had I done anything to warrant this behaviour.’
Witness A and B put their allegations forward independently to the GDC.
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