Jason Forman, of Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, was fined £4,000 after he pleaded guilty to two charges at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court on October 21. The charges relate to Mr Forman taking impressions and fitting a new set of dentures at Amazing Dentures in Bishop’s Stortford and for calling himself a dental technician which is a protected title.
Following the guilty plea, the judge ordered the defendant to pay a £2,000 fine for each of the two charges, as well as a £170 victim surcharge and £1,142 in costs for the GDC.
The GDC decided to prosecute after Mr Forman ignored a warning letter to stop offering his services.
During the hearing, the magistrate commented, “You have made profit from vulnerable people, so the fine must have a deterrent effect"
Victoria Sheppard-Jones, interim head of illegal practice at the GDC, said, “We are here to protect the public. This latest successful prosecution and the level of the fine demonstrates how seriously the courts take these issues. We hope that this case acts as both a deterrent and a reminder for practitioners in this sector of the importance of being on the register of dental professionals if you are providing dentures to patients.
“If an individual is not registered there is simply no way of being sure that they are qualified and have the skills to do the job they say they will do – which could have severe health and financial implications for the patient.
“We always strongly advise anyone considering dental treatment to check the individual is on the GDC register.”