Aberdeen dentist accused of not changing gloves between patients

7 April 2015 by Shona Gossip

A top dental surgeon who has helped train the next generation of dentists in Aberdeen is to face a disciplinary hearing accused of a catalogue of failings.

Christopher Reeks is facing nine charges involving at least seven patients and allegations he breached a string of hygiene rules.

Mr Reeks – who delivers specialist lectures at Aberdeen Dental School in his role as a clinical teaching fellow – will appear before the General Dental Council (GDC) later this month.

A disciplinary panel sitting in London will consider if his fitness to practice has been impaired.

Aberdeen University dental school

The charges against relate to his time at Banchory Dental Practice and span a period from 2007 to 2013.

It is alleged that while he worked at the surgery, in the town’s Station Road, he failed to follow appropriate cross-infection control procedures.

It is alleged that on one or more occasion, Mr Reeks did not change his surgical gloves between patients when treating members of the same family at consecutive appointments.

He is also accused of opening drawers or cupboards, using the computer in the treatment room, and getting equipment from outside the room while wearing contaminated gloves.

It is alleged he did not change his gloves before returning to his patients after carrying out such tasks.

In another charge, the GDC alleges Mr Reeks failed to follow a treatment plan put together by Aberdeen Dental School for a patient in March 2011, and did not discuss it with her or outline the options, risks and benefits of other treatments.

He is also accused of failing to investigate after the woman, referred to only as GB, complained of pain after treatment in November 2011, and not taking radiographs to monitor her root fillings in November 2012.

Mr Reeks, of Westhill, is also alleged to have failed to include a report on another patient’s radiographs in their file, and not treating – adequately or at all – overhangs on the their silver fillings which were visible on a scan.

The watchdog will consider if Mr Reeks reviewed the patient’s treatment after fitting a glass ionomer filling in January 2010 and if he planned to replace it with a permanent fix within a reasonable time.

Mr Reeks is also accused of failing to refer another patient, identified only as TW, to a specialist in restorative dentistry.

It is also alleged the dentist did not take appropriate radiographs to monitor the bridge abutment in the patient’s upper jaw.

Several of the charges include references to alleged poor record-keeping of treatment.

Two patients allegedly did not get advice about the use of fluoride after tooth decay was found.

Mr Reeks no longer works at Banchory Dental Practice.

He has previously worked at the town’s Fountain Dental Group, and the Dental Practice in Aberdeen.

In 2013, he became a clinical teaching fellow in restorative dentistry at Aberdeen Dental School, which is run by Aberdeen University.

A spokeswoman for the university said she could not comment on the upcoming hearing and the charges against Mr Reeks.

She confirmed his involvement at the dental school, but said: “He only provides occasional specialist lectures.”

Last year, Mr Reeks was awarded his postgraduate diploma in clinical periodontally and is now working towards a master of science degree while researching the field.

He was unavailable for comment last night.