Stourbridge dentist in five-year 'dishonesty campaign'

A Stourbridge dentist cheated patients out of more than £84,000 during a five-year "campaign of dishonesty", a court heard.

Jaspal Singh Bachada, aged 37, of Redlake Drive, Stourbridge pleaded guilty to two charges of conspiracy to defraud the NHS.

His co-accused, Ikhlaq Hussain, aged 38, of Alum Rock, Birmingham, was found guilty of the same charges following a trial earlier this year.

Mr Tim Hannam, prosecuting, told a sentencing hearing at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday that the pair - who knew one another from university - had operated a practice in Blackfriars Avenue, Droitwich, since they bought it in March 2002.

Bachada had applied for registration with the South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust (PCT) when he bought the practice. However the application was deferred due to disciplinary proceedings under way with four other PCTs, Mr Hannam said.

He told the court Bachada continued to practise as an NHS dentist regardless, putting payment claims through his other practice, The Hollies Dental Practice in Hagley Road, Stourbridge, whichwas authorised to work as an NHS dentist. He also claimed payments in other employees' names.

The court heard it was estimated that Bachada was paid £81,450.71 by unsuspecting NHS patients who were unaware he was not permitted to practise in the area.

Meanwhile, he was also charging private rates to around 50 patients who believed they were receiving NHS treatment, earning an extra £2,989.28 above NHS prices.

"Dr Bachada claimed in interview that all patients were fully informed and aware that they were receiving private treatment, but that was clearly not the case," Mr Hannam told the court.

"Many of his patients were on benefits and would not have opted for private treatment." The men were due to be sentenced today.