Hornsey dentist keeps her job despite being ‘a risk to patients’
A dentist from Hornsey has been allowed to keep her job, despite being told she was a ‘risk to patients’ health’ by the General Dental Council.
Maryam Ashrafi, a 42 year old dentist, appeared in front of the General Dental Council following complaints from a patient, who accused the dentist of leaving her looking “like a rodent”. The patient, who cannot be named for legal reasons and is known only as Patient A, originally went to see Miss Ashrafi to repair a chipped tooth; however, the dentist recommended she have complex treatment involving a dental bridge and dentures.
After the procedure, Patient A said she suffered a great deal of discomfort and described her teeth as being far too long and different colours, making her feel unattractive. The patient said her teeth resembled those of a rodent and called them “hideous”.
Miss Ashrafi appeared in front of the General Dental Council and admitted that she should not have attempted the treatment, which she described as being “too complex for me”; the dentist admitted that she had “overestimated” her ability and apologised for her mistakes. Miss Ashrafi had already appeared in front of the GDC following complaints about her practise in 2007; however, she was cleared of professional misconduct.
On Monday, the GDC panel concluded that the treatment had been inappropriate and had not been carried out in the patient’s best interest. Chairman of the GDC panel, Mike Cann said that she was a risk to patients and her ability to practise was “impaired”. The dentist will be allowed to continue working but she must draw up a personal development plan under the supervision of a postgraduate dean and tell the GDC about any professional work she undertakes either in the UK or abroad; she must also notify the GDC of any disciplinary matters she is involved in.
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