UK regulator finds Professor Philip-John Lamey guilty of misconduct

The General Dental Council (GDC) has struck off a consultant in oral medicine following a public hearing into multiple allegations of poor care, patient management and record keeping.

Professor Philip-John Lamey was working at the School of Dentistry, The Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast when allegations were made relating to the treatment of 27 patient between 2006 and 2010.

There were 46 initial heads of charge in this case, containing 215 allegations – 110 of which were found proved.

Among the allegations were:

• Repeated failure to include malignancy in diagnoses;
• Repeated failure to carry out biopsies;
• Repeated failure to carry out adequate oral examinations;
• Serious failings in record keeping;
• Prescribing inappropriately;
• Poor communication; and
• Poor patient management.

In considering this case, the GDC’s Professional Conduct Committee said: “The Committee is satisfied that its findings show there to have been significant deficiencies in your practice which were widespread, over a long period of time and serious. In the case of Patient 3 this involved an untruthful entry in the patient’s notes and an untruthful letter to the patient’s GMP.

“The findings disclose a standard of practice which the Committee is satisfied fell far short of what could reasonably be expected of any practitioner in the field of oral medicine and which would be regarded as deplorable by fellow professionals. These failings involved many patients over a long period of time.

“The Committee is satisfied that taken as a whole the facts found proved by it constitute misconduct on your part.”

In addition: “The work you have done in the profession throughout your life and the very senior position you occupy in it, are such as to engage directly the public interest in the disposition of this case. You clearly have talents which ought, if possible, to be at the disposal of the profession and the public, but you also knew what standards ought properly to have been upheld by you.”

Unless Professor Lamey exercises his right of appeal, his name will be struck off the register in approximately 28 days’ time.

To read the full determination from the GDC, click here.