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Sarah Marie Shepherdson

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Registration Number:
83525
Status:
Registered with Warning
Registrant Type:
Dentist
First Registered on:
28 Jun 2004
Current period of registration from:
28 Jun 2004 until: 31 Dec 2026
Qualifications:
BDS Newcastle University 2004
Warning from:
18 Jul 2026 until: 17 Jul 2027
Warning:
The Case Examiners considered an allegation that the Registrant’s fitness to practise was impaired by reason of misconduct due to the standard of care he provided to one patient in 2024. These included matters relating to antibiotic prescribing, communication, informed consent and the standard of treatment provided to one tooth. The Case Examiners have determined that there is a real prospect of most of the facts alleged being found proved by a Practice Committee and a real prospect of the statutory ground of misconduct being established. The Case Examiners took into account the nature of the alleged conduct and noted the degree of insight demonstrated by the Registrant, and the remediation she has undertaken. They considered that the risk of repetition is low and concluded that there is no real prospect of the Registrant’s fitness to practise being found to be currently impaired by a Practice Committee. However, the Case Examiners considered that, although there is no real prospect of a finding of current impairment being made, there is evidence to suggest that the Registrant’s overall conduct had fallen below the standard expected to a degree warranting a formal response from the GDC. The Case Examiners have given regard to their Indicative Outcomes Guidance (February 2018) and determined that it would be appropriate and proportionate to issue the Registrant a warning, published for a period of 12 months, as her alleged conduct suggests a departure from the GDC ‘Standards for the Dental Team’ (September 2013) provisions that govern her as a dental professional, and to indicate that this conduct should not be repeated. The Case Examiners also consider that a warning is appropriate and sufficient to address the level of public interest in this case. The Registrant is reminded that this warning will form part of her fitness to practise history, even after it is no longer published and may need to be disclosed as required. The Case Examiners formally warn the Registrant that failure to: • undertake a systematic and appropriate assessment of a patient’s symptoms and dental condition may result in deficient treatment planning and inadequate care. It is necessary to ensure that appropriate treatment options are considered, and suitably recorded, to assist with treatment planning. • maintain accurate and detailed records can impact upon ongoing patient care. Clinical records must be sufficiently detailed so as to allow future audit or review, to understand any and all clinical considerations, justifications and potential diagnostic conclusions reached; as well as the actions carried out by her and information discussed with the patient. • obtain and document consent can have serious effects on the individual patient, and on the wider trust and public confidence in the profession. She must ensure that a patient’s valid consent is obtained at each stage of any investigation or treatment, and record the discussions had with patients, inclusive of those that relate to the process of confirming their ongoing consent. • adhere to appropriate prescribing guidelines may result in patients receiving inappropriate medication. Her prescribing practise did not appear to follow the required guidance which was in place at the time; she must ensure that she is fully conversant with the latest guidance on antibiotic prescribing. • provide an adequate standard of care can result in irreversible damage for patients. She must ensure she maintains and keeps up to date her knowledge of current restorative dentistry to ensure that she provides an appropriate standard of treatment for all patients. • record the grading of radiographs departs from accepted standards and can compromise patient care. She must ensure that she follows the relevant guidelines and standards to ensure that she grades radiographs appropriately.