A York dentist has been accused of a series of hygiene breaches, including using rusty drill bits.
Jenefar Kabir, of Fresh Dental Smile Clinic, on Manor Lane in Rawcliffe, is facing allegations that she made serious breaches of infection control and health and safety.
She denies the claims, which come from a former member of staff, saying they “are taken out of context and are vindictive”.
A complaint has been lodged with the General Dental Council (GDC) by the whistleblower who raises several concerns, including:
- rusted, blunt burs – for drilling and polishing teeth – being used
- staff do not wear appropriate gloves and were given catering gloves used for food preparation
- gloves are reused between patients
- clinical waste is included with domestic waste
- use of non-disposable cloths to disinfect surfaces.
The informant also had concerns about those working at the surgery including:
- staff are not DBS checked
- staff wear inappropriate clothing
- staff were not given an induction when they started nor were they given Basic Life Support (BLS) training.
Another allegation was that Dr Kabir had sent an email telling staff “that they should not waste time giving patients a comprehensive treatment plan, as it wastes money”.
The informant was said to have “raised their concerns with you, you downplayed them, and accused the Informant of trouble making, along with other members of the team”.
‘Out of context’
In a statement submitted on her behalf by her representative Mr Reddington, Dr Kabir denies all the allegations.
“He submitted that the allegations in this case are made by a former member of staff who had joined the Practice from a competitor’s practice,” the GDC says.
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“He stated that it is your position that the allegations she makes are taken out of context and are vindictive. He stated that the Informant has now returned to working at the competitor’s practice.”
The report continues: “Mr Reddington referred to your unblemished career of over 20 years.
“He submitted that there was no patient complaint in respect of the concerns which have been raised and no evidence either of any patient harm.
“He submitted that the majority of the concerns raised by the Informant are a matter of difference of opinion on matters such as clinical guidelines, that aspects of the concerns raised by the Informant are based on hearsay or concern other members of the dental team.”
The GDC has begun “interim proceedings in circumstances where the GDC’s investigation is at an early stage and where no facts have been proved”.
It goes on: “These are serious and wide-ranging concerns which engage core aspects of dentistry, such as cross-infection control.
“In the committee’s judgment the concerns give rise to a real risk of harm to patient safety should you be allowed to continuing practising without any interim restriction on your registration whilst the concerns are investigated.”
It has imposed an 18-month interim order including supervision of Dr Kabir’s work, before conducting a full investigation into the claims.
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In a separate investigation, the Care Quality Commission is taking enforcement action against Fresh Dental Smile Clinic.
In its report, published last month, it found the clinic lacked leadership and highlighted several issues including:
- a lack of the equipment required to ensure effective instrument cleaning and decontamination
- reprocessing of single use items
- dental materials and cleaning products were available for use after the marked expiry date.
The CQC has issued a series of enforcement actions the clinic now has to take.
According to the Fresh Dental Smile Clinic website, “Dr Jenny Kabir has an established reputation within the dental industry amongst both patients and peers.”
She grew up in York, and after qualifying in dentistry “ran a group of successful dental clinics in Manchester.
“She then returned to her hometown of York as clinical director of Fresh Dental Smile Clinic.
“The clinic prides itself on its vision of providing unparalleled patient care with the latest, highest quality dentistry available today.”