A highly respected London dentist has caused controversy over the few last weeks with the General Dental Council (GDC) due to claims made of profound dishonesty over the duration of his professional career as a dentist. On the 30th October 2012 an inquiry was launched into allegations made against this dentist. Subsequent to a public hearing, where these allegations were addressed, the dentist has been dismissed by the GDC.
The dentist in question is otherwise known as the principal dentist Mr Femi Fajemisin, associated with the Kindblue Dental Care Practice situated in Romford. There were a number of claims made against Mr Fajemisin which forced the GDC to investigate. The following accusations were made: Mr Fajemisin registered for NHS funds under his wife’s name (Mrs Olayinka Fajemisin) in December 2005 for treatment he operated himself. Mr Fajemisin was also accused of making two more claims (2008) under the NHS for courses and treatments that he had not carried out on patients. Furthermore Mr Fajemisin was believed to be claiming more funds from the NHS for dental activity without any examination of patients. This ‘activity’ was said to be only supplying the patients with fluoride toothpaste. All of these actions added up against his annual allocation of units of dental activity. This conduct implies that Mr Fajemisin was attempting to play the system and profit from the NHS. It was deemed as dishonest and inappropriate.
This has left The Professional Conduct Committee not only disappointed but appalled by his actions, ‘Mr Fajemisin’s dishonest behaviour was deliberate, sustained and contravened fundamental principles of the dental profession. Mr Fajemisin made a large number of fraudulent claims using different mechanisms during two different NHS charging regimes. He knowingly and deliberately defrauded a public body with limited resources.’ The Committee concluded that they had no option but to dismiss him from the dentists’ register. They said, ‘In the Committee’s view his behaviour is wholly incompatible with remaining on the dentists’ register.’ A statement was made by the Chairman on the13th November, ‘The GDC’s case is that Mr Fajemisin made claims to the National Health Service (NHS) which were either dishonest or, alternatively, inappropriate.’ The Committee believed that dismissal was their only suitable option in order to maintain public trust and to retain the high levels of professionalism in dentistry. Mr Fajemisin will therefore be removed from the dentists’ register in the next month and will not be allowed to continue to practice dentistry unless he chooses to launch an appeal.