THE HIGH Court has given a dentist permission to challenge the Dental Council’s decision to bring disciplinary proceedings against him for alleged professional misconduct.
Dr Jehad Al Sukun, who has practised dentistry at a number of private clinics and hospitals here since 2008, says he was shocked when he discovered earlier this month the Dental Council is considering taking steps to suspend him working as a dentist.
Mr Justice Michael Peart granted Dr Al Sukun, Parkview, Stepaside, Dublin, leave to bring judicial review proceedings over the Dental Council’s refusal to adjourn a meeting to consider making an application under section 44 of the Dentists Acts 1985 to have him suspended from the register of dentists.
Dr Al Sukun claims the refusal to grant him an adjournment to allow him properly prepare for the hearing breaches his right to fair procedures.
In an affidavit, Dr Al Sukun, a native of Palestine and a British citizen, said he is only aware of one complaint against him since he began working here. That complaint of October 2009 related to an extraction treatment performed by him some time earlier.
He said the patient in question had received appropriate care. His work, both here and elsewhere in Europe, was “without blemish” and he adheres to high standards of patient care, he added.
He said the Dental Council has not given him a statement of evidence against him and he has been unable to decipher the charges against him. His solicitor had attended the Dental Council meeting held on April 14th last but when the application for an adjournment was not entertained, his solicitor withdrew, he said.
Two days later, he was informed proceedings were being drafted for an application to the High Court to have him suspended from the register of dentists, he said. Such an order would have a devastating effect on him.