A DENTIST is being investigated by NHS England after a complaint about the standard of care he gave to 27 patients.

Waqar Mohammed, who works in two dental practices in East Lancashire, including Clayton Dental Care in Clayton-le-Moors, was referred to a hearing with the Interim Orders Committee of the General Dental Council (GDC).

The referral was made after the GDC received information at the beginning of February which raised concerns about Dr Mohammed’s failure to provide safe clinical practice at Clayton Dental Care, where he worked as the practice principal.

The complaint related to care given to 27 patients between 2016 and 2020, which detailed how many had been left suffering from pain and infection due to Dr Mohammed’s failure to treat disease within the gums and teeth.

At a hearing on March 2, the committee was told: “The concerns are extensive and widespread and include failure to carry out radiographic screening and periodontal monitoring, failure to obtain valid consent, failure to carry out sufficient treatment planning, failure to diagnose the source of pain, poor patient management overall resulting in extractions and possible loss of further teeth, failure to diagnose caries, and provision of antibiotics without clinical justification.”

The committee also heard how one informant had expressed concerns that Dr Mohammed had been writing and signing NHS prescriptions under the name of the practice manager for drugs to be used by other people.

On behalf of the GDC, solicitor Mr Stevens submitted that an interim order was necessary for the protection of the public, stating there would be a real risk if no order made on Dr Mohammed’s registration.

He also said the confidence of the public in the dental profession would be undermined if Dr Mohammed was allowed to continue practising unrestricted, particularly as the case involved allegations relating to fraudulent prescriptions.

Mr Stevens invited the committee to impose an ‘interim conditions of practice order’ for a period of 18 months - the length of time that would be required to resolve the investigation.

In Dr Mohammed’s defence, his solicitor, Mr McDonagh, said since the complaints were lodged with the GDC, the dentist had co-operated with the council, supplied patient records, and was currently liaising with NHS England.

He also said that considering the matter was already being investigated by NHS England, that alone provided some protection for the public, adding: “He works in two single-handed practices, with a significant number of patients depending on him to provide dental treatment which has been delayed due to the pandemic.

“If the committee were minded to impose an order, a lighter form of conditions requiring minimal supervision would be proportionate as he works alone.” Mr McDonagh said.

His registration as a dentist was not suspended, and for the next 18 he must abide by a set of 15 conditions in order to continue practising, including placing himself under the supervision of a workplace supervisor.

He must also provide the GDC with a report from his workplace supervisor every two months as well as being expected to carry out audits of treatment planning, diagnosis, radiographs and antibiotic prescribing, every two months.

Dr Mohammed, said: “I always strive to provide the very best care for my patients. I am disappointed with the interim conditions set out, however I continue to cooperate fully with the investigation.”

A review of the order will be carried out within the next six months.