Sarah Ruth Felvus
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Dental Nurse
First registered on:
25 Sep 2017
Current period of registration from:
25 Sep 2017 until: 31 Jul 2025
Warning from:
05 Feb 2025
until:
04 Feb 2026
Warning:
The Case Examiners considered an allegation that on 7 November 2023, the registrant was convicted at Cardiff Magistrates Court of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to the Offences against the Person Act 1861.They also considered that the registrant had not immediately informed the General Dental Council (GDC) that she was subject to these proceedings, nor of her conviction, as is required of her.
The Case Examiners were satisfied that there was a real prospect of the factual allegations being found proved and there was a real prospect of the statutory ground of conviction and misconduct being established by a Practice Committee. However, they also determined that due to insight shown by the registrant, there was a low likelihood of repetition and therefore no real prospect of the registrant’s fitness to practise being found to be currently impaired.
The Case Examiners reminded themselves that the registrant has been dealt with by the criminal justice system, and that it is not the Case Examiners’ role, nor the purpose of the fitness to practise process, to punish the registrant for a second time. However, the Case Examiners considered that to close the case without action would fail to take into account the need to promote and maintain public confidence in the dental professions and to promote and maintain proper professional standards and conduct for members of those professions.
The Case Examiners consider that a conviction for assault occasioning actual bodily harm is unacceptable, being against the law and demonstrating a lack of judgment. The Case Examiners have taken into account their Indication Outcomes Guidance (February 2018) and consider that a warning for a period of 12 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 of conduct.
The registrant is reminded that this warning will form part of her fitness to practise history, and she may be required to disclose it even after the period for publication has expired.
The Case Examiners therefore formally 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/cautions will be viewed seriously and will likely call into question her fitness to practise.
- She should, as required by the General Dental Council’s guidance ‘Standards of the Dental Team’ (September 2013) publication maintain appropriate standards of behaviour in her professional and personal life.
- She must, as required by the General Dental Council’s ‘Guidance on reporting criminal proceedings’ (September 2013) publication immediately inform the General Dental Council if she is subject to any criminal proceedings or a regulatory finding is made against her anywhere in the world.