Man guilty of unlawfully practising dentistry in Coleraine

The UK regulator of dental practice, the General Dental Council (GDC), has successfully prosecuted a man for unlawfully practising dentistry.

By The Newsroom

Published 11th Jun 2014, 07:00 BST

By law all dentists, dental nurses, dental technicians, clinical dental technicians, dental hygienists and dental therapists and orthodontic therapists must be registered with the GDC to work in the UK. This is to ensure only appropriately qualified and skilled dental professionals are part of the dental team looking after patients.

On 6 June, Patrick McGuigan appeared at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court in Northern Ireland and pleaded guilty to unlawfully practising dentistry contrary to Section 38 (1) and (2) of the Dentists Act 1984.

Mr McGuigan was fined £300 and ordered to pay £382 towards GDC costs as well as a £15 victim surcharge.

Mr McGuigan was previously registered with the GDC as a Dental Technician.

He was granted voluntary removal from the register on 4 December 2012.

Northern Ireland