Bogus NHS dentist worked in 7 different hospitals
A dentist who used fake qualifications to register with the General Dental Council worked in seven different NHS hospitals, it has been revealed.
Vinisha Sharma told the GDC that she had attained a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree In India; she assured officials she had gained the qualification at the Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Amritsar but investigations revealed no evidence of her even attending the institution.
Ms Sharma worked for the NHS for nine years and worked in seven different hospitals, including Wolverhampton, Basildon and Thurrock, Southend and Essex; she operated on patients under supervision and earned £230,000 over the course of nine years working as a senior house officer. She was so obsessed with her fake identity that she had the letters BDS on her personalised number plate.
Ms Sharma’s cover was finally blown after Patrisck Magennis, a consultant, raised concerns over her qualifications back in 2008. The GDC has previously investigated Sharma in 2003 after Magennis questioned her qualifications and expertise but the case was dropped in 2004; four years later the same colleague contacted the GDC and asked them to reopen the case.
In 2007, Sharma attempted to obtain complete registration with the GDC but failed because her test showed that she didn’t have the necessary skills and knowledge; however, she continued to practise using her temporary license. Sharma appealed against the decision but was again refused.
Sharma, who is originally from the West Midlands, was eventually charged following an investigation by the NHS Counter Fraud Service. In court yesterday in Wolverhampton, Ms Sharma pleaded guilty to five charges of obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception, one count of using a false instrument and one charge of fraud by means of false representation.
The case has now been adjourned to allow reports to be compiled; sentencing is expected to take place on the 18th October.
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