It has been reported that a dental nurse has lost her GDC registration subsequent to a public hearing concerning allegations involving child cruelty. The dental nurse was accused of carrying out acts of cruelty to a person under the age of 16, which violates Section 1(1) of the Children and Young Persons Acts,1933. These allegations were linked to a conviction made at the Burnley Crown Court, which took place in January 2012.
On February 27th, 2012, the dental nurse was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison by the courts decision. She was also suspended from working as a dental nurse for two years and only able to continue after another 12 months under a supervision order.
When considering her case The GDC’s Professional Conduct Committee said that they were taking the case extremely seriously. They were concerned about the public and were worried that her actions would damage the confidence that people have in the dental nursing profession. Due to these reflections, the GDC decided that erasure was the only appropriate course of action.
They were quoted saying, ‘Her acts, omissions and continued lack of insight are fundamentally incompatible with her remaining on the register of the GDC.’
The dental nurse in question was not represented and did not attend the public hearing. If the dental nurse chooses to exercise an appeal then she may still be able to gain her registration back but if not her name will be erased from the register in just under a month.
Click here for the GDC publication.