Case Studies for principle 1
Mrs Patel is a dentist who registered with the GDC in 2001. Between December 2009
and June 2011 she practised dentistry without having appropriate professional indemnity
cover in place.
She continued to treat patients at the practice, despite not having any appropriate
cover in place. The Primary Care Trust asked for proof of her indemnity on numerous
occasions and she admitted that she did not have any cover in place. The PCT wrote
to the GDC and the case was assessed by a fitness to practise caseworker.
The fitness to practise caseworker considered that Mrs Patel mayhave breached a
standard in Standards for the Dental Team.
1.8 You must have appropriate arrangements in place for patients to seek compensation
if they have suffered harm.
The Investigating Committee thought that Mrs Patel’s behaviour had been unacceptable
and referred her to the Professional Conduct Committee.
The Conduct Committee thought that Mrs Patel had breached a number of the fundamental
principles to which all dental professionals must adhere. The Committee was concerned
by Mrs Patel’s complete lack of insight into her failings and her lack of understanding
of the importance of having appropriate indemnity or insurance in place.
The committee was in no doubt that Mrs Patel’s actions and omissions amounted to
misconduct and it decided to erase her from the GDC register.