Wiltshire dentist facing misconduct charges
A dentist from Pewsey in Wiltshire is facing misconduct charges, after it was revealed that he had been bullying and hurling abusive insults at colleagues and fondling his genitals in front of them.
Hossein Mosheni, an Iranian born dentist, attended a General Dental Council hearing yesterday. The GDC panel heard evidence from colleagues; members of staff claimed the dentist swore at them, lost his temper on a regular basis, threw objects at them and acted in an appropriate manner in front of them. When staff complained, Mr Mosheni tried to make it up to them by hugging and kissing them, the panel heard.
Donna Cauwood, a dental nurse from the Pewsey Dental Practice, left the practice after she became distressed by Mosheni’s behaviour; she was advised by her doctor not to return to work. Sarah Plashkes, representing the GDC said that Ms Cauwood had become increasingly distressed whilst working for Mr Mosheni; the practice was often short-staffed and she was under a great deal of pressure. She claims Mr Mosheni was at times extremely unpleasant, losing his temper, shouting and ranting and hurling abusive insults at colleagues; Ms Cauwood also claimed that the dentist openly fondled his genitals in front of patients and staff.
The panel heard how Mr Mosheni attributed the problems to difficulties with language, as English is not his native language. The panel also heard of a series of other allegations; he asked Ms Cauwood to pose as a dental hygienist, even though this is illegal and she did not have the necessary qualifications. Mr Mosheni is also accused of failing to dispose of waste properly, encouraging Ms Cauwood to lie about his wife’s role in the practice and forcing other members of staff to do jobs which they were not qualified to do. The panel also heard evidence from Laura Punter, a dental nurse who left the practice after six months; Ms Punter concurred with Ms Cauwood’s accounts and found Mr Mosheni to be aggressive, inappropriate and unpredictable.
Mr Mosheni denies the allegations. The hearing is expected to last five days.
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