Shil Dipak Shah
Back to Results
Warning from:
10 Jan 2025
until:
09 Jan 2027
Warning:
The Case Examiners considered an allegation that the Registrant’s fitness to practise is impaired by reason of misconduct and conviction. The allegation is related to the Registrant receiving a criminal conviction on 23 January 2024 for driving with excess speed and failing to immediately inform the General Dental Council (GDC) that he had been charged with a criminal offence.
It has been determined that there is a real prospect of the factual allegations being found proved, a real prospect of a Practice Committee finding this would establish the statutory grounds of misconduct and conviction but no real prospect of a Practice Committee finding the Registrant’s fitness to practise to be currently impaired given the insight and remediation shown by the Registrant. However, the Case Examiners considered there was 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 would it help to maintain confidence in the dental profession. The Case Examiners have consequently given regard to their Guidance Manual (November 2016) regarding the criteria to be considered when issuing a warning and their Indicative Outcomes Guidance (26 August 2016) in relation to examples of types of cases for which it may be appropriate to issue a warning, including in relation to criminal convictions. Based on the guidance, they consider that a warning in this case is necessary to declare and uphold proper professional standards and maintain public confidence in the profession. Further, they consider that publication of the warning for a period of 24 months is appropriate and proportionate in the circumstances, and will ensure that a message is sent to the Registrant and to the wider profession regarding the importance of maintaining appropriate standards.
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 warn the Registrant that:
- the commission of a criminal offence can have an adverse effect on the wider public interest, and this conduct should not be repeated. Any further criminal convictions will be viewed seriously and will likely call into question his fitness to practise.
- he should, as required by General Dental Council guidance, maintain appropriate standards of behaviour in his professional and personal lives.
-failure to follow the GDC’s guidance on reporting criminal proceedings will put his registration at risk.