Drug taking Tipton dentist flouted ban and worked for cash
A drug-taking dentist from the Black Country flouted an order banning him from working and continued to treat patients for cash behind locked doors, a hearing was told.
German Chris Bohler, 43, treated 61 patients from his surgery in Tipton, after being temporarily suspended from dentistry in January last year amid allegations of drug abuse.
The General Dental Council ruled he could not work while the allegations were investigated - but he ignored the order and carried on offering treatment for cash.
He saw many patients without a dental nurse or a receptionist present, and several complained the door was locked behind them leaving them trapped in the surgery alone with the dentist.
Bohler claimed the credit card machine was broken so he would only accept cash, and made inadequate records for 40 of the patients, the GDC heard.
When police arrested the dentist in August 2007 for practicing illegally for seven months, he tested positive for both heroin and cocaine.
Bohler, who has been a dentist for 16 years, admits all the charges, including working without professional indemnity insurance for nearly 18 months. He could be struck off as a dentist if the GDC panel decides he is unfit to practice.
Giving evidence Bohler claimed he never worked under the influence of drugs and apologised for his actions.
’If I could turn back the time I would probably make a lot of different decisions. I regret a lot of decisions I have made,’ he said.
The dentist claimed he carried on working because he did not want to turn away emergency patients, he had patients who needed ongoing treatment, and he was short of money.
’The PCT told me I was likely to get some kind of suspension pay to pay my costs, but this never happened. So I was under financial pressure as well,’ he added.
Ian Stern, QC, for the GMC, said between January and August last year Bohler stuck a notice on the door of the Great Bridge Dental Practice, Great Bridge, just outside West Bromwich, with his mobile number offering appointments.
Bohler had bought the surgery around the time of his suspension, and three other dentists worked there, the panel heard.
He treated people on 20 different days, and patients complained he worked under lock and key without a dental nurse or receptionist.
Patient 61 was seen the day before Bohler’s arrest on August 8. She came to the surgery for a routine check-up and found the door locked, Mr Stern said.
She called the number on the door and spoke to Bohler, who then came to the door a few minutes later.
’He did not introduce himself. She was slightly disturbed as he locked the door behind them. She felt uncomfortable,’ Mr Stern said.
Bohler put on a white jacket, gave the patient a check-up and cleaned her teeth without a dental nurse present. After the appointment he told her he would only accept cash for the check-up, which came to £16.
The woman was told to go to a cashpoint to get out £20 - after Bohler gave her the keys to let herself out, Mr Stern said.
’He said he would have change for her. When she gave him a £20 note he said he did not have change, and said "we’ll put it towards your next appointment".
’She had other ideas about whether there would be another appointment, and made him go to the local shop nearby to get change,’ Mr Stern said.
The angry patient asked for Bohler’s card so she could report him, but he gave her the card of another dentist at the surgery.
Later that day, police officers made a decoy appointment with Bohler by calling the number on the door of the surgery.
The next day on August 8 officers arrived at the arranged time and when Bohler answered - dressed in jeans and his white jacket - he was arrested for practicing illegally without GDC registration.
A saliva swab at the police station revealed Bohler had both heroin and cocaine in his system, Mr Stern said.
Bohler admitted he had taken the drugs.
During the GDC investigation it came to light Bohler’s medical indemnity insurance had lapsed in January 2006 after he failed to pay the monthly subscription.
He therefore practiced for a whole year before his suspension, and for the seven illegal months, without professional cover so patients are protected if something goes wrong.
The panel will now hear from patients and consider whether Bohler’s fitness to practice is impaired on the basis of his ’misleading, unprofessional and inappropriate’ behaviour.
The dentist, from Dudley, West Midlands could be banned from the profession.
The hearing continues.
