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The Case Examiners considered an allegation that the Registrant’s fitness to practise is impaired by reason of misconduct and deficient professional performance due to allegations about matters relating to compliance with current laws and regulations including in relation to health and safety, decontamination, maintaining equipment and putting staff and patient safety at risk. It was determined by the Case Examiners that the factual allegations had a real prospect of being found proved by a Practice Committee; and that the statutory ground of misconduct also had a real prospect of being established by a Practice Committee but there was no real prospect of deficient professional performance being found proved. They further determined that due to the degree of insight demonstrated by the Registrant and the remedial actions he has swiftly taken, that there was a low likelihood of repetition of such alleged matters, and that in the circumstances of this case there was no real prospect of the Registrant’s current fitness to practise being found to be impaired by a Practice Committee. However, it was considered by the Case Examiners, that though 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 standards expected to a degree warranting a formal response from the General Dental Council (‘GDC’). To dispose of this case without further action would therefore, in the Case Examiners’ view, fail to declare and uphold proper standards of behaviour and conduct, nor help to maintain confidence in the dental profession. The Case Examiners have consequently given regard to their Indicative Outcomes Guidance (February 2018), particularly in relation to a registrant failing to maintain safe standards of premises, equipment or other aspects of the clinical environment. They have accordingly determined that it would be appropriate and proportionate to issue to the Registrant a warning due the patient and staff safety risks in this case, published for 12 months, for allegedly breaching the GDC’s ‘Standards for the Dental Team’ (September 2013) provisions that govern him as a dental professional, and to indicate to him that this conduct should not be repeated. It is also considered, by the Case Examiners, 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 his 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: • He must ensure that he adheres to current laws and regulations in relation to health and safety, as failure to do so may expose patients and staff to risk of harm. • He must ensure that there are effective systems in place to prevent the spread of infection and dental instruments are cleaned and sterilised properly in line with the relevant guidelines to prevent the risks of infection and harm to patients and staff. • He must ensure the availability of medicines and equipment required for use in the event of a medical emergency in line with the manufacturer’s instructions and guidance issued by the Resuscitation Council to protect patients and staff from risk of harm. • He must ensure the safety of his premises and the equipment within it including fixed wire electrical testing in line with recommend guidance and the management of asbestos exposure on the premises. • He must establish systems and processes to manage waste that are operated effectively to ensure patients and staff are not exposed to risk of harm eg appropriate disposal of clinical and hazardous waste. • He must carry out appropriate risk assessments including but not limited to lone working, security, data protection and first aid. • He must ensure that his premises and equipment are kept clean and cleaning must be done in line with current legislation and guidance. • He must ensure dental materials and medicines are not retained and/or used beyond their expiry date.