Cannock dentist suspended over care failings

Dr Hari Hermann of Elite Dental Clinic at Kingston Court Shopping Arcade, Cannock, was suspended for a wide range of 'extensive' failings relating to an unnamed patient between May and December 2013.

And in a separate case, Dr Nirgis Majeed, of the Valley Centre Dental Practice in Hednesford, agreed an out-of-court settlement following a claim by patient Nicola Roden.

In the case of Dr Hermann, a General Dental Council hearing suspended him for failings, which included carrying out treatment not neccesary, as well as failing to keep proper records. He had been warned for similar failings between August 2011 and December 2012.

A report from the General Dental Clinic's professional conduct committee addressing Dr Hermann said: "The committee is not satisfied you fully appreciate the extent of the inappropriateness of the work. Such serious errors of judgement are indicative of clinical and attitudinal concerns not easily remedied."

Dr Hermann said: "I do not accept the findings and will be taking time to consider my options."

In the separate case of Dr Majeed, Ms Roden said work to correct a veneer on her teeth exposed the pulp.

The customer services representative from Hednesford claimed to have suffered an infection and had to have a root canal. Following further work, she then said to be experiencing a rotting smell in her mouth and had to be put on antibiotics.

Dental Law Partnership secured the £7,500 settlement but Dr Majeed didn't admit liability. Solicitor Jennie Hales from the firm said: "The sub-standard treatment caused infection, the need for root canal treatment in one of the teeth – itself carried out poorly – and the likely loss of that tooth over the next few years."

Ms Roden said: "The whole experience has been the worst of my life. I had to spend several months without front teeth where the veneers kept falling off. I cried most days."

In response Dr Majeed said: "I do not agree with the facts as conveyed by The Dental Law Partnership."