A DENTIST who ran a "grubby surgery" in Hornsey has been given the go-ahead to continue practicing after undergoing further training.

At a disciplinary committee hearing last Wednesday Jitendra Patel thanked members for giving him a second chance.

Last year, the committee heard how the 53-year-old dentist merely wiped a metal syringe between seeing patients on a torn dentist's chair.

Mr Patel practicsed at 41 Willoughby Road from 1979 until the hearing last February.

At the hearing, before the General Dental Council's professional conduct committee, he was found guilty of serious professional misconduct.

But it postponed further action after he agreed to work only under the supervision of another dentist.

And last week the committee heard he had taken further university training.

Patel, who practised at the Hornsey surgery from 1979 but now works in Highams Park, told the committee he had "learned a lot" from the courses.

He said: "I sincerely apologise that the standards of my practice went down and I wish to thank the committee for giving me the chance to practise again."

He added that family problems which affected his work had been resolved.

At last year's hearing he was accused of advising a patient wrongly to have a bridge for a loose tooth, and failing to submit patients' clinical records.

The problems came to light during an inspection by Enfield and Haringey Health Authority in 1997.

Inspector Dr Alan Atkinson found that the dentist's chair was "badly torn with the stuffing showing through".

Mr Patel initially maintained he only wiped the syringe on the day of the inspection, but eventually conceded he had done it before.

Solicitor to the committee Tom Ryder said Dr Atkinson had "felt the surgery was grubby", and "somewhat run-down and in need of maintenance," with unsatisfactory toilets and inadequate washing facilities.

And Mr Patel had failed to ensure he had regular training in resuscitation techniques.

The committee was given four references testifying to improvements in Mr Patel's work.

Announcing its decision, chairwoman Dame Margaret Seward said: "The committee is reassured by the steps you have taken over the last 15 months and is pleased to learn of your progress."

But she warned he should now take "particular care" in his work.

When the Independent approached Mr Patel earlier this week, he said: "The case has finished now. I just want to put it all behind me."

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