The FHSAU have determined that Mr Siddiqui is contingently removed from the NHS Rotherham dental performers list. This means that he can continue to practice NHS dentistry subject to a wide range of conditions to ensure his clinical practice is closely monitored. 

The FHSAU have imposed 14 conditions which range from working under supervision at all times, conducting regular infection control audits for verification by an external body and to only work assisted by the fully qualified registered dental nurse. All costs in respect of the application of the conditions will be met by Mr Siddiqui personally.

The appeal follows the case of Mr Mohammed Siddiqui, a dental practitioner based in Dalton, Rotherham.  An unannounced infection control inspection at his practice in May last year by representatives from NHS Rotherham and the Health and Safety Executive uncovered areas of poor infection control practice, including reuse of items of equipment that were intended for single use. Mr Siddiqui was immediately suspended from the NHS Rotherham dental performers list and reported to the General Dental Council (GDC).

NHS Rotherham Chief Executive, Andy Buck, said: “We are disappointed that the Family Health Services Appeals Unit has allowed Mr Siddiqui to resume dental practice especially given he has admitted to appalling levels of infection control practice at his surgery in Rotherham.

“NHS Rotherham took this action to seek to protect patients from unacceptable dental practice and act in their best interest.  The very stringent conditions imposed by the tribunal makes it clear that our action against Mr Siddiqui was entirely justified.  

“However we accept the tribunal’s decision to impose conditions which will ensure his practice is tightly supervised.  We will now take all necessary steps available to us to ensure that Mr Siddiqui  maintains high standards of infection control and works to protect the interests of patients at all times.”

In addition to the FHSAU hearing, Mr Siddiqui’s case will now be considered by the professional conduct committee of the General Dental Council (GDC) in June 2011. This committee will determine whether Mr Siddiqui can continue to practice dentistry in the UK in the future.

The GDC interim orders committee suspended Mr Siddiqui from June 2009. At the review in June 2010 the GDC lifted the suspension but imposed 17 conditions of practice until a further hearing could be convened early in 2011.