A Surrey-based dentist has been successfully prosecuted by the General Dental Council (GDC) and ordered to pay £2000 in costs for the illegal practice of dentistry.
Richard Spencer, who formerly worked from Aberfoyle Dental Surgery, Epsom Road, Epsom, Surrey pleaded guilty at Redhill Magistrates’ Court to unlawfully holding himself out as being prepared to practise dentistry while not registered, contrary to Section 38 (1) of the Dentists Act 1984.
He also pleaded guilty to unlawfully using the title of dental surgeon on registration forms at the above named premises, contrary to Section 39 of the Dentists Act 1984.
Mr Spencer has not been registered with the GDC since 2007.
Mr Spencer received a conditional discharge of 12 months on both offences and was ordered to pay £2,000 towards GDC costs.
Chief executive of the GDC Evlynne Gilvarry said: ‘We are committed to taking action against people who practise dentistry illegally, whether they’ve been removed from our register or never gained the qualifications to register in the first place.
‘I hope this prosecution sends a clear message to others who may be tempted to practise unlawfully. They are a risk to the people they treat and we will do everything we can to ensure public safety.’
