Dentist arrested on suspicion of fraud
A dentist from Bury has been arrested on suspicion of fraud.
Omer Butt was arrested following a police investigation, which uncovered a plot to defraud the NHS. Two other men were also arrested and the three suspects were all questioned yesterday and held in custody overnight.
Police are also searching a number of addresses in the Bury area in connection with the plot, including Mr Butt’s home on Sheepfoot Lane, Prestwich and his workplace, the Unsworth Smile Clinic on Parr Lane, Unsworth. An address in Park Lane, Prestwich is also being investigated by police.
Yesterday, the Unsworth Smile Clinic was closed and patients were directed to Moorgate Primary Care Centre; the clinic was guarded by police.
Police expect to question the three men today and investigations into the fraud plot will continue. Dentists are allowed to claim money from the NHS based on the number of NHS patients they treat and have on their register; police suspect Mr Butt was planning to fraudulently claim a large amount of money from the National Health Service.
Patients who usually attend the Unsworth Smile Clinic are urged to contact NHS Bury if they are due to attend an appointment in the coming days; alternative arrangements have been put in place.
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