A dentist has been struck off by the General Dental Council (GDC) following a public hearing into a criminal conviction.
The allegations against Werner Richard Muller were heard by the GDC’s Professional Conduct Committee.
The charges he faced were that on or about 19 July 2012 he was convicted of the following criminal offences:
1. 20 counts of False Accounting, contrary to Section 17(1)(a) and (2) of the Theft Act 1968;
2. 1 count of Evasion of a Liability by Deception, contrary to Section 2(1)(c) of the Theft Act 1968;
3. 1 count of Fraud, contrary to Section 1of the Fraud Act 2006.
In making its decision the Committee noted that: 'Mr Muller’s actions amount to a course of serious dishonest conduct which took place over a period of about 18 months and occurred in the context of his professional practice. He has not engaged with these proceedings and so the Committee has not been able to establish whether he has any insight, has done anything to remediate his actions or is now contrite. The Committee is in no doubt that criminal convictions for false accounting, deception and fraud would not in any event be easily remedied in the light of the effect such conduct will have had on the public’s confidence in the profession.'
Unless Mr Muller, 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.
