Dentist 'failed to spot Blackburn woman's gum disease'

4:51pm Tuesday 22nd July 2008

A BLACKBURN woman had nine teeth pulled out after her dentist failed to treat her 'obvious' signs of gum disease, a hearing was told.

David Henthorn did not spot the 'severe' loss of periodontal tissue around his patient's teeth or the build up of calculus, it was said.

When the woman, referred to as patient A, complained of 'baggy' gums and loose skin, Henthorn advised her to rinse her mouth with salt water, the General Dental Council heard.

The final straw came when the 45-year-old was told she could not have gas or sedation prior to having her teeth removed in May 2007, the hearing was told.

She ended up moving practices and having nine teeth extracted there, the panel was told.

Henthorn is also accused of making inappropriate remarks to his patient about fellow professionals.

Patient A, a mother of four from Blackburn, told the hearing how her relationship with Henthorn soured as her teeth got worse.

She said: “He was absolutely lovely. I was very frightened of dentists and he really helped me.

“He said my gums were not in good condition. I was quite upset. He recommended rinsing with salt water.”

Patient A moved to Warrington in 1997, but returned to Henthorn's surgery in Slack's Lane, Heath Charnock, near Chorley, when she moved back to Blackburn in 2002.

But by 2005 her gums had become so 'baggy' that they did not feel attached to the teeth, the hearing was told.

She said: “I mentioned my gums every time.

“I said my gums were really bad and he used to say ‘You know they are not very good’.”

Ms Barnfather also described Henthorn's advice of rinsing the gums with salt water as 'wholly inadequate'.

Henthorn admits failing to adequately diagnose, monitor and treat patient A's periodontal disease and failing to take enough radiographs to assess her periodontal status.

But he denies making any inappropriate comments.

This relates to allegations he asked the woman ‘Why would you want somebody that's not a qualified professional to deal with your teeth?' when she said she may go and visit a hygienist.

Henthorn could be struck off if his fitness to practice is deemed impaired by the panel.

(proceeding).

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