Investigation into use of counterfeit and non-compliant equipment
Dentist receives sanctions on his registration for using counterfeit and non-compliant equipment at a General Dental Council public hearing.
An incident involving the use of a counterfeit dental hand-piece on a patient in the Worthing Tooth Booth Practice on 31 October 2013 led to an extensive investigation by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the subsequent seizure of more than 100 counterfeit and non-compliant items of dental equipment from 14 Tooth Booth practices, mainly in the South East.
Mr Fazin Tahir was found to be purchasing and permitting the use of counterfeit and non-compliant dental equipment at these practices between 2012 and 2014, putting both patients and staff at risk.
The findings of this investigation were subsequently referred to the General Dental Council (GDC).
A GDC public hearing in front of a Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) was held on 18 January 2016. The hearing has found the Hounslow dentist’s fitness to practice impaired by reason of his misconduct.
The MHRA are working closely with the British Dental Industry Association (BDIA) and the General Dental Council (GDC) to monitor the use of substandard, counterfeit and illegal medical equipment and to promote awareness of the dangers that they present to patients and operators.
The internet provides easy access to a wide and diverse range of medical products and there has been rapid growth in sites offering cheaper alternatives but many of the medical instruments and devices on offer are unregulated and authorised for use in the dental sector in the UK
Alastair Jeffrey, Head of Enforcement, MHRA said:
MHRA is responsible for protecting public health and we have seen a worrying trend in the number of websites offering to supply dentists with unregulated and potentially dangerous equipment. Dental patients are entitled to expect quality care, including the standard of the instruments and devices used by dental professionals.
It is vital that dentists and dental staff buy equipment from bona fide suppliers and avoid unapproved or counterfeit devices. I urge all dental professionals to be cautious of seemingly cheap devices which may be unfit for purpose and potentially dangerous to patients and the staff that use them.
Notes to Editor
The full determination and conditions imposed on Mr Tahir’s registration can be found here
Background
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks. MHRA is a centre of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency which also includes the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) and the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health.
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