Dentist struck off over supervised neglect

Jun 19 2009 by Lisa Boyle

A DENTIST has been struck off after giving shoddy care to scores of patients.

Andrew Boyd’s career lies in tatters after the General Dental Council ruled against him last week.

The Troon dentist was not present when he was found guilty of failing to provide adequate treatment, failing to keep adequate records and failing to take appropriate X-rays.

At the hearing, the chairman said: “The committee has found serious failures by Mr Boyd to diagnose or treat caries, periapical disease and periodontal disease over a lengthy period.

“These failures involved a large number of patients who subsequently had to receive extensive remedial treatment.

“In addition, the committee found that there were serious omissions relating to Mr Boyd’s examination and assessment of patients, in particular his failing to carry out routine dental radiography, and his record keeping.”

He added: “Mr Boyd omitted to take proper care of his patients on a large number of occasions, and failed to provide the basic diagnosis and treatment of common oral disease which would be expected of a competent dental practitioner. This amounted to the supervised neglect of his patients.”

Boyd was a practioner at the Barassie Street Dental Practice in Troon between 1987 and 2005.

After considering how to deal with the neglect, the chairman added: “The committee considered that suspending Mr Boyd’s registration would not adequately protect the public or maintain its confidence in the profession.

“Therefore the committee has decided that erasure is the only appropriate and proportionate sanction in this case.

“Accordingly, the committee directs the registrar to erase the name of Andrew Weir Boyd from the Dentists Register.”

He now has 28 days in which to appeal the decision.